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Education International
Education International

France: teacher union defends mention of gender theory in textbooks

published 1 September 2011 updated 6 September 2011

UNSA-Education, a French EI affiliate, has denounced a call to censure secondary-level textbooks mentioning gender theory, explaining the relationships between sexuality, gender roles and cultural backgrounds.

A few days before the beginning of the school year, eighty members of the Assemblée Nationale belonging to the governmental majority have published a statement requesting the Education Minister, Luc Chatel, to withdraw textbooks allegedly presenting a mere “ideology,” a “non-scientifically proven, philosophical and sociological theory that affirms sexual identity is culturally-built.” They claim discussing and learning about the gender theory should be left to the private sphere within the family.

The union federation deplored a “dogmatic move aiming at enforcing a view totally opposed to what French law acknowledges, in terms of respecting - and not only tolerating - someone’s sexual orientation.”

UNSA Education urged and obtained from the Education Minister to “officially and firmly intervene to help respect the principles of editorial and pedagogical freedom in the framework of ministerial curricula.”

In strong contrast to the MPs’ statement, these controversial textbooks have been written and published in accordance with official regulations.

EI reiterates that governments must support and encourage teachers in nurturing a new generation respectful of diverse sexual orientations, as well as religious, social and cultural backgrounds.