Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 7 Nov 2000

Vol. 525 No. 2

Written Answers. - Second Level Students.

Enda Kenny

Question:

866 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will comment on his Department's programme for masculinity; if his attention has been drawn to the very adverse reaction to this programme; if he will have this introduced into schools; if he will supply details in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24239/00]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods):

Exploring masculinities is a programme in personal and social development for transition year and senior cycle young men, age 15-18. The programme, which includes a manual including teaching materials and video, has been made available to schools requesting it. The use of the programme by schools is entirely voluntary and they are free to offer the programme or to use it as resource material subject, as with any other similar programme, to the agreement of the parents and pupils concerned.

The programme covers a wide range of issues relevant to the lives of males and puts them in the context of the changes affecting the lives of men and women in the world of today-economic, legislative and social. It is based on recommendations from extensive research and from Government reports and is set within the legislative framework of this country and the European Union as well as the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

The programme was initiated by the equality committee of my Department in 1995 and was developed in association with the Association of Secondary Teachers, Ireland. It was externally evaluated by a team of educationalists from the University of Limerick, who concluded that teachers and students participating in its development welcomed the thrust of the programme and saw it as having positive outcomes for students.

While the programme has attracted some adverse publicity in the media, the response from schools and other educationalists who have contacted my Department has been extremely positive.

I have asked the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment to review the programme, with particular reference to the response to the programme, the use and outcomes of the programme in schools, to include the views of teachers, parents and young persons participating in the programme. In addition, I have asked the council to provide me with an assessment of the content and process of the programme, having regard to best practice in this and in other countries, the implications of relevant current policy and legislation in this area and the issues raised in the current public debate.