South Carolina’s public schools could lose federal funding for a key sexual education program unless the state removes all references to “gender ideology” from its curriculum. The directive comes from the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which has put South Carolina and 45 other states on notice.
The order specifically targets the Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP), a federally funded initiative that provides grants for teaching abstinence, contraception, and life skills. According to the federal government, South Carolina’s educational materials under this program have included lessons on gender identity and sexual diversity that are not permitted under PREP guidelines.
The federal letter gives the state until the end of October to modify its curriculum and submit the changes for review. A failure to comply could result in the loss of $1.6 million in federal funding for the program.
The federal administration’s action has been met with mixed reactions. Supporters of the move argue that discussions about gender identity and sexual diversity are not part of a school’s role and should be handled by parents. Opponents, including LGBTQ+ advocates, argue that the removal of these topics from the curriculum is harmful and can make transgender and nonbinary students feel unwelcome and erased in a school environment.
This directive is the latest development in a national debate over the role of gender and sexuality in public education. South Carolina officials are now evaluating the order and determining how to proceed.
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