A 13-year-old pupil was called ‘despicable’ by a teacher at Rye College in East Sussex earlier this month, after she refused to accept that her classmate identifies as a cat. The argument occurred during a lesson on ‘life education’, the latest manifestation of what was called PSHE (Personal, Health, Social and Economic education – aka ‘skiving’) in which the teacher told the class “they can identify as whoever they want.” Fortunately, another student realised how stupid the idea was, but when she stated her opinion the teacher shut her down, informing her that she was being reported to a senior leader, and was “no longer welcome in the school.” To date the names of those involved in the incident are not known, but the teacher was bang to rights, the incident having been recorded; listen here.
The conversation between the teacher and student was recorded by the schoolgirl and here is how it went:
Teacher: “who you want to be and how you identify is up to you”.
Student: “How can you identify as a cat when you’re a girl?”
Then the teacher begins her rant: “How dare you – you’ve just really upset someone questioning their identity.”
The pupil responds: “If they want to identify as a cat or something then they are genuinely unwell – crazy.”
The teacher then asks the girls: “Where did you get this idea from that there are only two genders”, before adding that this “is not an opinion.”
It then carries on, and the teacher becomes more enraged; ignoring what the pupils have to say. “Unless you identify with the gender of the sexual organ you were born with… you’re weird. That’s basically what you’re saying, which is really despicable.” When one of the pupils tries to suggest that her mother would disagree with the teacher’s view, the teacher responds: “Well that’s very sad as well.”
She then even suggests that the schoolgirls should find another school and concludes by saying: “I’m not having that view expressed in my lesson.”
Life Education, according to The PSHE Association, is a “planned programme of learning through which children and young people acquire the knowledge, understanding and skills they need to manage their lives. As part of a whole school approach, PSHE develops the qualities and attributes pupils need to thrive as individuals, family members and members of society.” But some schools are making gender ideology the main focus, putting all of the necessary life skills – for example, learning how to perform CPR, manage bullying, staying away from drugs and alcohol, etc – at the back of the locker. All this generation is going to understand is how to change identities, and to cancel people who do not agree with their choices.
Instead of reprimanding those who were speaking up, teachers should commend them for their bravery, highlight the importance of thinking for yourself, and possibly suggest that transfiguration is something best left to the Harry Potter franchise. On the other hand, if teachers do intend to accommodate this stupidity and someone wants, for example, to identify as a cat, how about making them use a litter tray, eat tinned cat food for lunch, and throw them out the back door at night?
It appears some schools are allowing children to identify as horses, dinosaurs, and cats in increasing numbers – an indication to any sane teacher that something is going wrong – and certainly that it might be a tall order to accommodate so many students in their new ‘form’. Before long, if this utter nonsense is not stopped, schools will become more like wildlife parks with all manner of growls and squeaks emanating from the classrooms. Playgrounds will require pens to separate predators from prey, and school medical centres may be required to employ veterinary nurses. Soon, school prize-giving (if they are not already abolished) will resemble Crufts, and school sports days will have to incorporate show jumping and dressage.
Thankfully, the government has got involved (not exactly something that should fill us with confidence) and The Department For Education has warned schools that if they are allowing children to identify as animals, it will be treated as a safeguarding issue. But the main problem is that the teachers are providing this information and encouraging it. That is what needs to be addressed. As for those courageous enough to speak out, like the student in question, they deserve support rather than the punishment, silencing, and exclusion that currently awaits them.
Sadly, this is a sign of the times. A student was kicked out of class by a teacher for stating that there are only two genders (caught on camera), an 18-year old girl was driven out of her school for questioning gender ideology, and a GCSE student disqualified for daring to suggest halal slaughter was ‘absolutely disgusting’.
Something must be done to stop children having these ideas forced on them, when they are already confused enough going through puberty. This information will get them nowhere in life. While our teachers promote this drivel, and we may in theory have one of the best educational systems in the world, the performance of pupils on maths, science and reading is woeful compared with the Far East and South East Asia, where identifying as a cat or a dog may not be quite as high on the agenda. If news from the United Kingdom reaches these places, they will be laughing their socks off.
Jack Watson has a Substack newsletter called Ten Foot Tigers about being a Hull City fan. You can subscribe here.
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