Gender indicators continue to be forbidden in Saxon educational institutions - Prohibition of gender segregation persists in schools across Saxony
In a move that has sparked debate, the Ministry of Education in Saxony, led by Minister Conrad Clemens, is continuing to uphold a ban on using special characters for gendering in schools. This decision follows recommendations from the Council for German Orthography and the path set by its predecessor, Minister Christian Piwarz, who initially championed the move towards "linguistic clarity in Saxon schools."
Piwarz, in defence of the special characters ban, argued that gender symbols are not practical for everyday use and create additional linguistic barriers. He further contended that those who use gender symbols undermine traditional grammar rules, which strictly distinguish masculine and feminine noun forms.
The ban applies to symbols such as asterisks, colons, underscores, and the "Binnen-I," and violations in written work will be marked as errors, potentially resulting in deductions. To achieve linguistic balance, pair forms such as "students and studentesses" should be used less frequently. In contrast, gender-neutral formulations or passive forms are encouraged.
The implications for Saxony's education system are significant. Schools must avoid teaching or using gender-neutral writing forms that involve special characters, which may limit linguistic inclusion and recognition of non-binary or gender-diverse individuals. The restriction could also influence the curriculum and materials approved for use in classrooms, limiting exposure to gender-neutral language innovations accepted in other regions or countries.
This decision reflects a broader conservative approach resisting changes tied to gender identity politics, potentially creating tension between educational policies and evolving societal norms about gender. The ban signals a cultural and political stance prioritizing linguistic traditionalism in education and official communication, which affects how gender inclusivity is addressed within Saxony’s schools.
The new regulation regarding the ban will come into effect on August 1st, continuing Saxony's stance on maintaining traditional language usage in educational and official contexts. Criticism of the special characters ban was directed towards former Minister of Education Piwarz, who has been at the forefront of this linguistic shift in Saxony.
[1] Source: Ministry of Education, Saxony, Press Release, May 2023.
- The ongoing ban on special characters for gendering in Saxony schools, as dictated by the Community policy established by Minister Conrad Clemens, aligns with Piwarz's education-and-self-development policy that emphasizes "linguistic clarity" and traditional grammar rules.
- The continuing debate surrounding the special characters ban in Saxony schools, a policy-and-legislation issue, sheds light on the intersection of politics and general-news, as it depicts a tension between educational policies upholding traditional linguistic norms and evolving societal norms concerning gender identity.
