Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 November 2021
503. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education the status of the programme for Government commitment to developing inclusive relationships and sexuality education including education on LGBTQI+ relationships; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52394/21]
View answerAccess to sexual and health education is an important right for students. Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) is a mandatory curriculum subject in all primary schools. Relationships and Sexuality Education (or RSE) is required at all levels, from primary through to Senior Cycle. The Department has set out the content for each of these programmes in SPHE syllabuses and guidelines.
The Programme for Government states that ‘this Government will develop inclusive and age appropriate curricula for Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) and Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) across primary and post-primary schools, including an inclusive programme on LGBTI+ relationships and make appropriate legislative changes, if necessary ’.
In April 2018, a review of RSE in schools was announced. Included in the areas for particular consideration during the review were: consent, what it means and its importance; developments in contraception; healthy, positive sexual expression and relationships; safe use of the internet; social media and its effects on relationships and self-esteem; LGBTQ+ matters.
The ‘Report on the Review of Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) in primary and post-primary schools’ was published by the NCCA in December, 2019. On foot of the recommendations within the Report, the NCCA has established development groups, for primary and post-primary, to support the development of guidance material for schools and to update the Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) curriculum.
Both SPHE/RSE Development Groups have been meeting on a monthly basis since October 2020. Their immediate focus was creating materials for publication online as part of the Interim Guidance Toolkits. The toolkits' purpose is to support effective teaching and learning of SPHE/RSE linked to the current curriculum. Extensive supports have now been published on these toolkits which can be accessed on www.curriculumonline.ie (under SPHE) . The supports include a portal repository of teaching and learning resources linked to the Primary SPHE Curriculum, the SPHE Junior Cycle Short Course and Senior Cycle SPHE Framework. There is also advice on how to create a safe SPHE classroom where young people can openly discuss matters that important in their lives and guidance on effective teaching methodologies for SPHE.
Links to be found below
- www.curriculumonline.ie/Primary/Curriculum-Areas/Social,-Personal-and-Health-Education/SPHE-RSE-Toolkit/
- www.curriculumonline.ie/Junior-cycle/Short-Courses/SPHE/SPHE-RSE-toolkit/
- www.curriculumonline.ie/Senior-cycle/SPHE-(1)/SPHE-Toolkit/
In tandem, preparation for the broader redeveloping and updating of the SPHE curriculum has begun, with an initial focus on Junior Cycle. The review of the current Junior Cycle SPHE course and proposed brief for the redevelopment of Junior Cycle SPHE is available online for public feedback here: ncca.ie/en/updates-and-events/consultations/junior-cycle-sphe-consultation/
This current consultation concludes November 5th. Feedback from this will inform the work of the development group and a draft updated specification will be available for public consultation in March/April 2022.
Following this consultation, the revised Junior Cycle specification will be finalised and presented to Council for approval before the summer.
The Department continues to work closely with the NCCA to determine the approach to best give effect to the commitment in the Programme for Government.
