The Mental Health Foundation has issued a plea to Education Minister Erika Stanford, advocating for the preservation of existing guidelines concerning lessons on relationships and sexuality.
Amidst mounting concerns, particularly following New Zealand First’s insistence on the removal of guidelines advocating for the recognition of diverse gender and sexual identities in society, the Foundation has stepped forward to emphasize the importance of maintaining these educational standards.
Shaun Robinson, Chief Executive of the Foundation, stressed the significance of these guidelines in fostering inclusivity and tolerance of diversity, echoing their relevance in combating racial bullying.
Robinson remarked, “You might have takatāpui in a school, you might have a Māori in a mainstream school, you might have Asian young people, Rainbow young people, and of course, tāne and wāhine interacting. It’s all about trying to create an environment where everybody feels valued and everybody feels safe so it’s ridiculous to take this away from our schools.”
The Foundation’s stance underscores the critical role of comprehensive sex education in nurturing an environment of acceptance and respect within educational institutions.
