Helen Keogh
Question:158 Ms Keogh asked the Minister for Education the plans, if any, she has to produce books or educational material pertaining to sex and relationships education. [17533/96]
Written Answers. - Relationships and Sexuality Education.
The programme of relationships and sexuality education is being introduced to schools in the context of social, personal and health education. A number of initiatives have been taken in relation to curriculum, classroom materials, school policy, information for parents and the compilation of a list of relevant resource materials.
The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA), with representatives of the Department of Education, school management authorities and parent and teacher organisations, developed interim curriculum guidelines for primary and post-primary schools. The guidelines are being distributed to teachers in the context of the ongoing training programme.
In addition, resource persons were appointed to prepare classroom materials for primary and post-primary teachers. The draft materials will be pre-tested over the coming months and may be revised following the pre-test. It is not intended that the materials will offer a centrally prescribed programme, but rather they will make available a range of resource materials from which programmes can be drawn up in response to the individual school's policy.
A policy folder, which is currently in preparation, will provide a step by step assistance to school managements in formulating school policy. It will also outline the partnership approach between teachers, parents and boards of management in developing the policy. An information booklet for parents is being finalised and will provide comprehensive information on the introduction of the programme into schools. The booklet will give practical information on how the programme will be introduced into schools.
Finally, a list of general educational resources on social personal and health education and relationships and sexuality education has been compiled to assist schools. This list will be made available to teachers, parents, and school authorities in the context of policy development and teacher training.