09 Aug The new Law on primary education in North Macedonia significantly improves the rights of LGBT people
The new Law on primary education of North Macedonia is a step forward in the protection against discrimination and violence in schools. It explicitly prohibits discrimination in the primary education on all grounds, including sexual orientation and gender identity.
The Law specifies that discrimination is prohibited in the educational process, enrolment, availability of services and benefits, adjustment and accessibility to and inside the buildings, employment, career advancement and termination of employment, the organization of students, content of curricula and textbooks, managing and participation in school bodies, the financing of the primary education and any other fields in the primary education.
Furthermore, the Law contains a provision prescribing that schools would tend to the sexual and reproductive health of students by providing information based on scientific research, human rights, gender equality and promoting respect for diversity. The Law explicitly obliges the schools to issue new diplomas and other public documents in cases of altered personal data pursuant to a decision made by a competent body. This provision is significant for transgender people facing difficulties when applying for new documents related to the education process after a change in their personal data, in accordance to their gender identity.
In addition, the Law prescribes a fine in the amount of 401 to 500 Euro for a violation committed by the principal of the primary school in cases of discrimination at the school and failure to report the violence, abuse and harassment of a student to the competent body.
References from the website LGBTI Equal Rights Association for Western Balkans and Turkey