Jim Higgins
Question:9 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Education if she has plans to introduce an AIDS education and awareness programme for schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - AIDS and Sex Education Programme.
Tomás MacGiolla
Question:217 Tomás Mac Giolla asked the Minister for Education if she will outline the provision for sex education and AIDS education programmes in primary and post-primary schools.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 and 217 together.
Education resource material dealing with HIV/AIDS has been developed by the Departments of Education and Health and was distributed to all post-primary schools by the Department of Education at the beginning of October 1990.
In addition, it has been distributed to youth clubs and organisation, communtiy training workshops organised by FÁS as well as to the educational services in prisons. Parent groups and others have requested the material. There is little doubt that there is a widespread demand for the material.
Also, a major programme of local seminars dealing with the use of the material has been organised by the Department of Education in conjunction with the Department of Health.
In total, 17 seminars for teachers were held at local venues during the past school year and this programme of in-service training is continuing this year. For example, seven seminars are planned for this term. Much of the feedback on the use of the material is being provided during these seminars. Some special seminars are being organised for those dealing with particular circumstances e.g. community training workshops.
The development of the resource material and its distribution together with the associated in-service training for teachers has been welcomed with enthusiasm and I am satisfied that the materials are being used wisely.
The question of an educational programme related to AIDS at primary level will be considered as part of the overall review of the programme at second level.
The provision of sex education in schools is a matter for the management authorities of the indivisual school in consultation with parents and the staff of the school. My Department also issued guidelines to the authorities of secondary schools in February 1987 on the development of sex/relationship education.
In relation to primary education, the Primary Curriculum Review Body in the course of their comments on health education in their report last year, recommended an examination of issues relating to "sexuality education". This recommendation is receiving attention in my Department.
Notwithstanding the fact that a programme has issued to schools, is the Minister not aware that the vast majority of second level schools are not operating this programme? The National Parents' Council recently indicated that from their cursory survey — they are now carrying out an in-depth analysis of the matter — there is no AIDS education or awareness programme in operation in the vast majority of schools and that there is a need to greatly accelerate the in-service courses for teachers because teachers feel very ill-equipped to deal with what is a very sensitive but very vital programme.
It is completely incorrect to say that the vast majority of second level schools are not operating this programme. Indeed by making that statement the Deputy is doing a grave disservice to the schools which are carrying out the programmes very efficiently and conscientiously. The number of seminars which have been held and the number of enthusiastic teachers who have attended them bear witness to the fact that teachers are extremely conscious of the urgent need for such courses. A survey of schools is being undertaken by my Department on the use of the materials and that will be carried out in the earlier part of 1992.
I accept that Deputy Higgins shares my concern in this regard. Thankfully all sides of the House agree on the urgent necessity to have these issues addressed in a proper educational setting, always with the agreement of the parents taking into account the distinct ethos of the particular school. Neither I nor the Minister for Health, Deputy O'Hanlon are content to let the matter rest at that. Following the dissemination of information to all the schools and the holding of seminars, we are now carrying out a survey as to how much time each school is spending on the programme and how many schools are operating it, again, as I said, against the background of their particular ethos. I also intend to issue again to post-primary schools an updated and reviewed copy of the Department's sex relationship guidelines.
The survey being carried out will show that the National Parents' Council are right in that a minority of schools are operating the programmes as distinct from having them. May I ask the Minister if there has been any liaison between her Department and or the Department of Health with ACETP, the AIDS, Care, Education and Training Programme, which operates in Northern Ireland? This is a very successful programme aimed at a high impact message given by people who have practical experience of working with AIDS victims. It is operated on an extremely low budget but is very effective. Can the Minister say if there is any liaison or dialogue between the authorities in the North and ourselves on the respective programmes?
On the first question, there is very distinct liaison between the Minister for Health and myself. We formulated the programme together and as I said in the reply, our Departments worked together in the holding of the seminars and the dissemination of information. As regards the information on the AIDS association operating in the North, I have not that precise information here but I will convey it to Deputy Higgins.
The joint programme adopted between the Department of Health and the Department of Education has been presented at a number of international workshops and conferences organised by bodies such as the WHO, the International Union of Health Education and the European Community. They have asked us to furnish them with our materials and we have done so. The feedback from that was that they are held in very high regard by each of those international organisations and they compare very favourably with any similar resource pack available elsewhere. We accept that the resource material is authoritatively and authentically produced. It now remains for me to follow up on the survey of the huge number of enthusiastic teachers who have presented themselves at the seminars to see how they are faring in their schools with the programmes which they are operating. Both the Deputy and I share a common interest to ensure that young people are provided with the very necessary information.
We have dwelt over-long on this question, obviously to the detriment of other questions.