School Curriculum

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 November 2020

Wednesday, 25 November 2020

Questions (126)

Gary Gannon

Question:

126. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education if more recent information will be provided regarding the percentage of second level schools that are meeting or not meeting the requirement for six relationships and sexual education, RSE, class sessions per year since 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39246/20]

Written answers

Minister for Education

Access to Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) is an important right for students. Schools have a responsibility to provide for this vital aspect of education to young people. The Programme for Government 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. Work on the development of an updated curriculum and interim guidelines for RSE has been ongoing following the publication of the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) report, “Report on the Review of Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) in primary and post-primary Schools” in December 2019.

Schools are required to teach RSE as an integral component of Junior Cycle SPHE up to Third Year. Schools are also required to teach Senior Cycle RSE even in the absence of timetabled SPHE classes. School policy will determine the context of the RSE programme and delivery will involve a co-ordinated approach, including both core class periods and cross curricular work.

Survey data published by my Department in respect of 2015 (Lifeskills Survey) showed that just over a quarter of respondent post-primary schools reported meeting the requirement of providing six RSE classes per year. 16% provided three to five classes per year, 41% provided one to two classes per year, while 5% provided none.

More recent data from 2018 indicated that just under half of respondent post-primary schools are meeting the requirement to provide six RSE classes per year, with 14% providing three to five classes, 26% providing one to two classes per year and 4% providing none.