Queer education has begun

Staff at primary schools in Hafnarfjörður gave a welcoming reception to an education officer from Samtökin '78 on the first day of queer education within the schools. At the end of last year, the City of Hafnarfjörður and Samtökin '78 signed a partnership agreement for education on issues concerning LGBTQ+ people, based on equality and inherent human rights. It is hoped that the education will lead to increased knowledge and awareness among staff and primary school pupils about issues concerning people's sexuality, gender identity and sex characteristics.

A new school year begins with queer education

LGBTQ+ education began at planning days in Hafnarfjörður's primary schools this week, and training for teachers will be spread evenly throughout the 2016-2017 school year. The training for staff is divided into three parts: education on sexual orientation, gender identity and sex characteristics. The emphasis is on the training increasing teachers' knowledge, supporting them in their educational role and in dealing with various situations in school life related to prejudice against LGBTQ+ people. The aim is for new primary school staff to receive this training annually. The organisation will also advise the local council on curriculum development related to LGBTQ+ issues and their inclusion within the social studies curriculum in the primary schools. The course instructor for programmes run by Samtök '78 is Ugla Stefanía Kristjönudóttir Jónsdóttir. Direct education for pupils will then extend to the 8th grade of Hafnarfjörður's primary schools, and this academic year the programme will reach all pupils in that year group. The education will then continue annually for this year group. „I am very pleased that the training has got underway, thereby taking another step towards increased diversity and multiculturalism within the school system in Hafnarfjörður. Ultimately, it is the individual themselves who matters most, and it is essential to help each person make sense of life and their existence, their interests and plans, based on their own perspectives and strengths.“ says Fanney D. Halldórsdóttir, Director of Education for the City of Hafnarfjörður.

Furthermore, the Municipality of Hafnarfjörður has entered into an agreement with the organisation to provide free advice and support to young people in Hafnarfjörður who wish to understand their own sexual orientation, gender identity and gender characteristics. An education group within Samtök hinsegin fólks provides education for pupils, which aims to enhance the understanding of queer people among young people in Hafnarfjörður and to further support primary school pupils who are trying to understand themselves during these important formative years.

See an older news story from the signing of a partnership agreement with Samtökin '78