Exam authorities in Scotland have been criticized for promoting an “anti-science agenda” by banning classroom questionnaires that recognize only two genders. Instead, students are instructed to specify their own identities, discarding male and female tick boxes. According to guidelines from the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), options like “other” and “prefer not to say” are also banned, as they might offend transgender individuals. Critics, including Susan Smith from For Women Scotland, argue that this approach disregards a Supreme Court ruling that defines sex as biological in equality laws.
The SQA is forcing psychology students to detail multiple gender categories, leading to a potentially endless list of options, as demonstrated by the Scottish census, which recognizes 27 genders. This decision has drawn sharp rebuke from various stakeholders, including Tory children spokesperson Roz McCall, who called the guidance “ridiculous and confusing,” asserting that it distracts from essential educational priorities.
Supporters of the SQA’s guidance argue that it is necessary to protect the identities of marginalized groups, with a cited article indicating that binary gender questions can misgender individuals. Nevertheless, opponents view this as an ideological manipulation that detracts from learning fundamental skills. In response, the SQA emphasized its commitment to equality and accurate data collection in research.
