Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 31 May 2023
73. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education the reason the finalised SPHE curriculum was changed from the published draft in order to remove the terms 'LGBT', 'transgender', 'cisgender', 'homophobia' and 'racism' from the appendix 2, glossary of key terms (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26558/23]
View answerAccess to RSE is an important right for students. This is reflected in the Programme for Government, which states that this Government will develop inclusive and age appropriate curricula for RSE and Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) across primary and post-primary schools. SPHE is a mandatory curriculum subject in all primary schools and in post-primary Junior Cycle. RSE is required at all levels in schools, from primary through to Senior Cycle.
On foot of their 2019 review of the provision of RSE and SPHE in Irish schools, the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) was requested to develop new specifications/curriculums for Primary, Junior Cycle and Senior Cycle.
A draft revised Junior Cycle specification was published for consultation by the NCCA in July 2022, with the consultation process running to October 2022. This specification was finalised based on feedback from this consultation and was published in May 2023. It will be rolled out in schools from September 2023.
I am advised by the NCCA that, as part of the feedback from the extensive public consultation on the Junior Cycle SPHE specification, some contributors to the consultation suggested adding additional words to the glossary and some suggested removing words. I am also advised that the purpose of this glossary is to provide clarification for teachers on the learning outcomes and therefore in finalising the curriculum document, the decision was taken, in the interest of keeping the glossary succinct, to only include terms in the glossary that are explicitly referred to within the learning outcomes or in other parts of the specification. Further explanation on the intended learning in the redeveloped SPHE specification is provided in the NCCA SPHE Toolkits for teachers, available at curriculumonline.ie .
The Deputy may wish to note that the updated SPHE specification facilitates classroom discussion in relation to all the topics referred to in his question. For example, through the learning in Strand 1 'Understanding myself and others' students will be able to:
1.4 recognise the factors and influences that shape young people’s self-identity, such as family, peers, culture, gender identity, sexual orientation, race/ethnic background, dis/abilities, religious beliefs/world-views.
1.5 reflect on gender equity and how gender stereotypes impact on expectations, behaviour and relationships
1.6 discuss experiences/situations of bias, inequality or exclusion and devise ways to actively create more inclusive environments
In Strand 3 'Relationships and Sexuality' one of the learning outcomes states that students will be able to:
3.6 appreciate the breadth of what constitutes human sexuality, and how sexual orientation and gender identity are experienced and expressed in diverse ways
Furthermore, the Rationale of the updated JC SPHE curriculum states that:
the SPHE specification is grounded in values of respect, equality, inclusivity, responsibility, dignity, compassion and empathy....
This specification supports teachers in adopting an approach that is inclusive in accordance with principles of equality, human rights and responsibilities. This ensures that all students can see themselves, their families and their communities reflected across the learning and can learn to value diversity as a feature of humankind and as a source of enrichment. SPHE thus contributes to building a cohesive, compassionate and fair society; one that is inclusive of all genders, sexualities, ethnicities, religious beliefs/worldviews, social classes and abilities/disabilities .
I can also advise the Deputy that the Senior Cycle SPHE specification is expected to be made available by the NCCA for public consultation in Q3 2023. At primary level, the Primary Curriculum Framework was published in March and will inform the development of all curriculum specifications at primary level. The NCCA has begun work on the curricular area of Well-being in primary schools, which includes SPHE and RSE. This curriculum will be developed through the usual process involving all partners in education and public consultation on a draft specification is expected to happen in 2024.
