Bi Cinealta- pushing a trans idealogy in Irish schools?

[BruachAbhann]

Hi there,
Do any Irish parents know anything about the 'Bi Cinealta' program that some schools have adopted? Our Educate together primary school has introduced it as an anti-bullying program but I'm suspicious that there might be an underlying trans ideology slant to it. It's just a feeling I have, and of the course the literal translation is 'Be kind'. I'm wondering is it a trojan horse for pushing a certain agenda.

Thanks.

Haven't heard of that one - there are a few Irish people on FWR but you could also try asking on Craicnet?

I'm a teacher/deputy principal who is in charge of well-being in school so know the policy reasonably well. Honestly it hasn't come to mind but could I ask what are your concerns?

https://genspect.org/bi-cinealta-be-kind-part-1/ has a two part article on it.

...In June 2024 the Irish Department of Education published Bí Cineálta: Procedures to Prevent and Address Bullying Behaviour for Primary and Post-Primary Schools,replacing the 2013 Anti‑Bullying Procedures. As part of its broader Cineáltas: Action Plan on Bullying, the Department of Education claims the initiative promotes a culture of respect and inclusiveness across primary and secondary schools. Each school drafts their own Bí Cineálta policy, based on training provided by Oide, but the policy must include reference to particular types of bullying, including identity-based bullying such as transphobic, homophobic, racist, and sexist bullying.

Parents have expressed concern about Bí Cineálta’s emphasis on identity-based bullying and are questioning why it is necessary. They are also concerned about its uncritical adoption of trans ideology, introducing a belief system into school policy that is not grounded in fact, but in controversial ideas about gender. While all children should be protected from bullying, that protection must not be based on the promotion of one worldview as truth in a diverse and pluralistic society. The notion of having a gender identity is a belief held by some people, not an objective reality accepted by all, and schools must not compel students or families to affirm beliefs they do not share...

Thanks, I had a good read through it and couldn't see anything too worrying but I was just concerned on who was behind it and if there was an agenda being pushed.

https://oide.ie/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Bi-Cinealta.pdf

This is the entire policy sent to schools.

Just on your first post. All schools must have adopted it and ratified it by the first of September this year and the own schools individual policy is on their website.

Trans ideology spoils everything it touches: 'be kind' used to just mean 'be kind', now it's a red flag. The Dept of Education should have given the campaign a more neutral title.

Thanks Genderwoo. I did notice they had put in reference to LGBTQ+ and the word 'inclusion' was scattered around a lot. I'll check out those articles.