INTO produces diversity packs for national schools

Posters that showcase the diversity of Ireland’s families are to be sent to all primary schools.

The Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO), which produced the set of teaching aids, said it would help and encourage teachers to discuss different family forms, including multi-ethnic families and those led by single parents or people of lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT) background.

The resource pack, under the heading “Different Families, Same Love”, contains lesson ideas, advice and posters for display in the classroom. It was produced by the INTO’s LGBT teachers’ group.

Minister for Education Jan O’Sullivan said the resource would be invaluable in creating “inclusive classrooms” and countering homophobic and transphobic bullying. She said the posters would “send out a clear message to the LGBT children and LGBT-headed families of our society that they are welcome and cherished in our schools.”

The INTO said the poster would help redress the lack of representation of children from different family structures in classroom life.

"Children hearing their teacher describe LGBT people and families in a positive way will ... be a huge step towards preventing homophobic and transphobic bullying in our schools," said INTO general secretary Sheila Nunan.