Vol. 571 No. 1
457 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Education and Science the guidelines which are given to schools governing education on relationships, including sexual relationships; the way in which these guidelines are monitored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19654/03]
Relationships and sexuality education is an integral part of the social, personal and health education curriculum at primary level and junior cycle post-primary level. A curriculum for RSE at senior cycle post-primary level is also in place. Relationships and sexuality education resource materials for primary and post-primary schools have been developed and are based on the Interim Curriculum and Guidelines for Relationships and Sexuality Education prepared by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment and approved by the Department of Education and Science.
These guidelines have been prepared by experienced teachers under the guidance of the RSE training support service for schools. They have been evaluated by personnel from the Department of Education and Science, the RSE training support service for schools and classroom teachers in pre-test schools. It is the policy of the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment to carry out a rolling review of all curricula at primary and post-primary levels. The interim curriculum guidelines for senior cycle RSE will be reviewed as part of their inclusion in the broader curriculum for SPHE at senior cycle currently under development. An evaluation of all aspects of the SPHE junior cycle programme, including RSE, is currently under way.
