Are schools still allowed to talk spontaneously about sensitive topics?

The non-re-employment of a teacher by the Menzingen Cantonal School because she talked to students about sexuality is causing discomfort among some teachers at secondary schools in Zug. The Association of Teachers of Zug demands a clear signal from the Director of Education.

The fact that the Menzingen Cantonal School did not extend a teacher's annual contract after she has spoken to her adult students about female sexuality has unsettled some teachers in the canton. This is shown by a survey of various associations of teachers.

The Teachers' Association of the Canton of Zug (LVZ) has convened an extraordinary meeting of its presidium following the publication of the Menzingen case in the newspapers, explains President Barbara Kurth. The association had been contacted by several upper school teachers who were insecure, and, in some cases, also afraid. According to Barbara Kurth, this is not just with regard to conversations about sexuality – it can also be tricky in the area of religion and ethics. Especially if these questions arise spontaneously.

"Teenagers and young adults are interested in such topics, so discussions can also arise spontaneously."

In addition, it is very valuable if the students develop these ideas themselves.

If sex education goes beyond the biological level, it can become a balancing act for teachers.
Symbolic image: Gaetan Bally
Barbara Kurth, President of the Teachers' Association of the Canton of Zug
Photo: Matthias Jurt, Zug

It is important that a teacher should not avoid such situations out of fear or has to first think about what to say, but can remain authentic and can also answer questions. "The situation in the upper school is not like that in the kindergarten, where we can confidently refer the children to their parents if they have questions about the Christ Child or Santa Claus – on the contrary: it’s important not to leave the young people alone with such questions or to send them home with their questions. "There are still many parents who have trouble talking about sexuality. "And many students would rather not discuss such topics with their own parents," says Barbara Kurth.

Uncertainty since the incident became known
Urs Leisinger, President of the Association of Zug Secondary School Teachers, is also aware of teachers now feeling insecure – especially at the Menzingen Cantonal School. He says that some had already approached the association in the spring, when they saw how a teacher could apparently lose her job due to the conversation about sexuality. "There were many teachers who felt a great sense of discomfort. Especially for those without a fixed contract, these worries are palpable."

The case has now also been discussed among the teachers at the Cantonal School in Zug after the publication, according to Urs Leisinger:

"A certain level of uncertainty can be felt."

This was also the case following an incident in Zurich ten years ago, in which a teacher ended up in court because he had discussed with his students three works of world literature that also dealt with sexuality. A mother had charged the teacher with promoting pornography. The court acquitted him, however.

Room for manoeuvre versus control mechanism
Urs Leisinger points out that a certain amount of room for manoeuvre is essential in both the planning of lessons and in the management of teachers. "The question is always: how much is left to the personal assessment of the teacher or the school management, and where are control mechanisms that are necessary in order to avoid derailments." For example, the assessment of which risks are acceptable at school or what can be expected of learners is shifting. "Should, for example, pupils learn to deal with dangerous substances in the laboratory, or is the risk too high? Is it reasonable that sensitive topics that really affect the learner to life should also addressed in class?" This has had to be discussed and renegotiated again and again, because opinions differed widely.

With regard to the handling of sensitive issues, LVZ President Barbara Kurth also believes that things need to be re-negotiated here. She feels that the responsibility for this lies with Education Director Stephan Schleiss. "After he denied everything after the case at the Kanti Menzingen became known, it is now important for him to make a clear statement."