Scottish parents overwhelmingly support LGBTQ+ inclusive education, vital new survey finds
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An investigative news article based on the survey conducted by Survation on behalf of Time for Inclusive Education (TIE) reveals overwhelming support for LGBTQ+ education in Scottish schools. Scotland made history in 2019 by becoming the first country to introduce LGBTQ+ inclusive issues in school lessons, following the acceptance of all 33 recommendations from the LGBTQ+ Inclusive Education working group in 2018.
The survey, which interviewed over 1,000 parents and carers of school-aged children, found that 73 percent of respondents rated their awareness of LGBTQ+ education as either “very aware” or “quite aware.” Only 26 percent reported being “not that” or “not at all” aware. After watching a video on LGBTQ+ inclusive education, an impressive 92 percent of participants stated that they understood the topic “very well” or “fairly well.”
When asked about the importance of teaching LGBTQ+-related bullying and prejudice in schools, 76 percent of parents agreed that children should learn about these issues. Additionally, 67 percent believed that such education could help address LGBTQ+-related bullying, while 24 percent disagreed. Furthermore, 66 percent of respondents supported teaching students about historic LGBTQ+ figures.
In terms of overall support for LGBTQ+ education in schools, 70 percent of parents indicated that they either “strongly” or “somewhat” supported it. Only 15 percent opposed it to some extent, while 14 percent neither supported nor opposed it.
Leanne McGuire, Glasgow representative for the National Parent Forum of Scotland, emphasized the survey’s findings as a testament to the strong backing for LGBTQ+ Inclusive Education in the school curriculum. Despite potential misconceptions fueled by misinformation on the internet and social media, the survey results highlight widespread support for incorporating LGBTQ+ education into schools.
Nicola Fisher, convener of the Educational Institute of Scotland’s equality committee, underscored the importance of these findings in signaling to education authorities the need to engage meaningfully with the national approach to LGBTQ+ Inclusive Education. Fisher stressed the importance of providing teachers with adequate time, support, and resources to confidently deliver an LGBTQ+ inclusive curriculum for the benefit of all learners.
Overall, the survey results indicate a clear majority of parents and carers in Scotland are in favor of LGBTQ+ education being taught in schools. The support for LGBTQ+ Inclusive Education reflects a growing recognition of the importance of inclusivity and diversity in the education system. As Scotland continues to lead the way in LGBTQ+ education, these findings serve as a strong endorsement of the positive impact such education can have on students and society as a whole.
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