And it still causes confusion in some quarters

I would vouchsafe that the propositions being considered by the NT Government and selected people consulted about “Kids (to) face ‘non-gender’ sport” (20/4), have caught the vast majority of NT school level educators in a flat footed position. This ‘sudden’ awareness of thinking has come out of left-field. Our local paper today (20/4 and also a front page story) poses they question of whether or not teachers will be discouraged from using the terms “girls” and “boys” when talking with children in classrooms.

NT Education Minister Lauren Moss is being somewhat coy in responding to questions about how far this ‘new thinking’ has progressed. She has hidden the status of ‘progress’ on the issue by indicating these and other possible changes (including unisex toilets and changed arrangement rod for children and students on camps) by saying  this was all  in “… a draft document subject to consultation.” 

Discussion needs to be opened up on this draft policy while the policy is still in draft form. Authorities in the NT (a place where I have lived since 1975) are notorious for implementing policy in haste and with minimal consultation. These contemplated changes are too important to be waved through and into the NT Educational system in any high handed manner. That consultation should embrace public and private schools/authorities and must include discussion with students.