Coalition Margini demands restoration of sexual diversity and homophobia content in CSE programme
The NGO urges the ministry to publish expert opinions, introduce reporting and protection mechanisms in schools, and include youth and rights groups in policy-making.
Coalition Margini has called on the Ministry of Education and Science to restore content on sexual diversity and homophobia that was removed from the country’s Comprehensive Sexuality Education programme, which was renamed after edits to "Health and Protection of Health." The NGO says the deletion of the term "gender" and other topics — including gender equality and sexual and reproductive rights — undermines the rights and safety of LGBTI young people.
Coalition Margini is demanding that the ministry publish the expert opinions that justified the curriculum changes, and that concrete mechanisms for reporting and protecting students from homophobic and transphobic violence be introduced in schools. The group also calls for meaningful involvement of young people and organisations that represent their rights when education policies are drafted.
Evidence and concern
"By removing the contested content, the Ministry of Education and Science strengthens the power of anti-gender actors to decide which experiences may be named in education. The price of such a withdrawal is paid by young people whose rights and safety are already endangered. Public indignation against their equality must not become a criterion for curricula," Coalition Margini said.
The coalition cites survey data showing that nearly 37 percent of pupils reported peer violence at school based on sexual orientation or gender identity. It also states that 63 percent of LGBTI students hide their identity at school, and 61 percent said LGBTI topics were never covered in their education.
Research by the coalition titled "Danger of (non)existence" found 255 cases of institutional violence against LGBTI+ people between 2021 and 2023, 82 of which occurred in educational settings. "These data demand a clear educational policy to prevent homophobia and protect young people, and the Ministry of Education and Science responds by removing its explicit study and thereby weakens the curricular obligation to recognize and challenge the prejudices that enable violence," the coalition added.
The NGO warned that schools are not yet safe spaces for all pupils and urged authorities to reverse the deletions and to put in place reporting and protection measures. Coalition Margini framed its appeal as a defence of LGBTI youths' right to equal opportunity, safety and education free from discrimination.
Photo: press material from the event
