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'When children are stifled through bullying they are more likely to feel gender reassignment is their only option later in life'
School: Where awareness should begin
Schoolchildren to be tackled on 'sexist, sexual and transphobic bullying'
From the age of five, children in UK schools will receive lessons in gender equality, according to a revised personal, social and health education plan launched by the Department for Children, Schools and Families.
Intended to be in place by 2011, the plan will produce rules for teachers on tackling "sexist, sexual and transphobic bullying' and trainee teachers will have to learn about gender awareness and domestic violence. But Schools minister Vernon Coaker said the lessons would be tailored to the age of a class.
"The appropriateness of what you do with someone who is five years old is totally different in terms of content and how you will be taught to someone who is 15 or 16," he said. "You can teach [younger pupils] about not bullying and how names can hurt people."
Professor Stephen Whittle, of transgender lobby group Press for Change, told Metro: "We welcome wholeheartedly this move. When children are stifled through bullying they are more likely to feel gender reassignment is their only option later in life."
Additionally, secondary school children will be taught about domestic violence and its connection with alcohol and drugs under the action plan Violence against Women and Girls drawn up by Home Secretary Alan Johnson, Schools Secretary Ed Balls and leader of the Commons Harriet Harman.
