Jason Clare Defends Respect Education In Schools Amid ‘Woke’ Row
Australia’s education minister says teaching respect and consent is about basic decency, not ideology.
Australian Education Minister Jason Clare has defended the teaching of respect, consent and relationships in schools, saying it is not “woke” to teach boys to respect girls amid a growing political debate over the nation’s curriculum.
The debate has intensified following a series of high-profile sexual assault allegations in Australia and growing concerns over the impact of harmful online content on young people.
Clare, speaking to reporters in Queensland on Thursday, defended teachers and criticised technology companies for exposing children to harmful material.
“Teaching boys to respect girls isn’t woke. It’s just common decency,” Clare said.
He said teachers had a crucial role not only in helping children develop academic skills but also in building their character.
The comments came after Opposition Leader Angus Taylor backed Nationals leader Matt Canavan, who has criticised what he described as the “feminisation” of the school curriculum.
Canavan argued that boys were becoming frustrated by what they perceived as negative messages about men at school and were subsequently turning to online spaces where they could be exposed to toxic content.
Taylor, when asked whether consent should be taught in schools, avoided giving a direct answer and instead said young men should be taught to “be good human beings”.
Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek also criticised the suggestion that teachers were responsible for young people turning to harmful online platforms. Speaking at an emergency sexual violence roundtable in Sydney, she said teaching young people about consent and respectful relationships should be above political divisions.
The issue comes as the Labor government considers tougher measures targeting social media algorithms that can expose children to harmful content.
One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has also previously campaigned against what she calls “woke” ideology in Australian schools, as her party's support has risen in recent polling.
The political dispute highlights growing differences between the government and opposition over how schools should address consent, gender relations and online influences on young people.