We all think that a pin is a code or password with which we protect a device. We can transpose this same idea to the popularly known as parental pin. It would be a measure that allows families to decide on what content Your children have access to complementary services in schools.
These activities on which to exercise the parental pin would be mandatory and assessable, They are related to the curricular objectives of the centers, but not related to what is considered classical subjects. We would be talking about issues that revolve around inclusion, diversity or affective-sexual education.
Controversy over the parental pin
The parental pin was generating a great debate in the first months of last year when the Region of Murcia launched it to veto certain content in the classrooms. Other communities such as Madrid and Andalusia also raised its implementation. To determine the implantation of the parental pin It must be taken into account if this type of content is harmful to children, and, if it is extracurricular activities.
The parental pin is a written request addressed to the management of the educational center in which parents request prior information about any type of activity: workshop, talk ... on issues related to feminism, LGTBI diversity or gender identity. In this way, parents can choose whether or not they want their children to attend these activities.
It's actually more about collect express authorization from parents to find out if they want their sons and daughters to attend this training. The Education Law establishes that all students must participate in complementary activities organized in educational centers.
Voices for and against the parental pin
Without going into naming acronyms, we want to collect some of the arguments for and against the implementation of the parental pin. On the part of students, the educational community, and parents there were demonstrations in both directions. Many opinions that could be read also go through different experiences related to bullying.
The main argument of those who defend the parental pin is the parents' right to receive information about the activities carried out in the centers or educating their children according to their own moral convictions. For this they appeal to article 27.3 of the Constitution.
On the other hand, a large majority of teachers, families and students have expressed their opinion against it. They consider the retrograde measure, which prevents educate in equality and diversity in the classroom. They have also focused their arguments on the lack of trust between the educational institution and the families. They emphasize that these types of measures generate conflict where there was none before.
Pedagogical consequences of the parental pin
Some experts such as José Ramón Ubieto, believes that education forces us to see things differently from how they are presented at home. This form does not have to be contradictory, but can be broader. An education without values would be undesirable. For his part, Miquel Castillo Carbonell also believes that these contents cannot be ignored, they are part of the construction of sexual and gender identity, and therefore of the personal training process. The school is co-responsible and allows more flexible dynamics, open and critical.
On the other hand, some teachers have stated that the parental pin would create a segregation in classroom operation. There would be students who would not participate in certain experiences, ideas, talks or ways of seeing the world, while others would, and this would give the latter more critical capacity and information.
They also point out that this measure undermines the authority of the teacher, distrust of teachers increases. Generalizes the idea that all teachers indoctrinate or have the same ideological position on certain issues is very delicate. It involves assuming that the teaching staff is not professional and teaches what interests them.