'Schoolkids shouldn't be corrected for using 'she' or 'he'. They are eight, it's confusing..

Parents' shock at gender-neutral teacher & enforced pronoun

- BARBARA MCCARTHY

KIDS in a primary school have been told to refer to their gender-neutral teacher as "they" in the classroom.

The Third Class pupils returned last week to be informed their new teacher wants to be referred to by first name only, or the pronoun "they".

The children from the Dublin Educate Together school - aged eight and nine were told this on their first day back, according to parents.

They have since been corrected by the teacher for saying "she" and taught to say "they" instead.

It is believed to be the first time a school in Ireland has moved to accommodate a teacher's gender identity within the classroom.

Parents were not consulted ahead of the change, in the new school year, and some were surprised.

One guardian said: "The schoolkids shouldn't be corrected for using 'she' or 'he. These children are eight years old and it is confusing for them.

"It's one thing for students at university being asked to use a pronoun, but this is too young. They'll be worried if they get a pronoun right or wrong, when they should be focused on maths or spelling."

WELFARE

Psychologist and campaigner Stella O'Malley believes the teacher is putting their needs ahead of the welfare of children.

O'Malley - founder of gender-critical group Genspect - said it is the first such case in a school in either Ireland or the UK.