The Western Cape’s Education Department’s (WCED) contentious gender identity and sexual orientation policy will be signed and adopted before the end of this year. Ground-breaking guidelines would make schools more inclusive and supportive for LGBTQ+ pupils. It allows pupils to dress in a uniform that matches their gender identity, makes provision for a unisex bathroom, also allows pupils to bring a same gender partner to school events (matric dances) and, “regardless of sexual orientation”, encourages pupils of all sexual orientations in school sports, free from bullying, harassment and discrimination. The National Professional Teachers’ Organisation of South Africa (Naptosa) welcomed the move. The guidelines are not formerly drafted as yet.
