Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 December 2021
246. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Education the steps that have been taken to develop a new relationship and sexual education curriculum for the primary, junior and senior cycle; when it is anticipated they will be used in schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61099/21]
View answerAccess to sexual and health education is an important right for students. Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) is mandatory in all primary schools and in post-primary Junior Cycle. Relationships and Sexuality Education (or RSE) is required at all levels, from Primary through to Senior Cycle. My Department has set out the content for each of these programmes in SPHE syllabuses and guidelines.
In April 2018, then Minister for Education and Skills Mr. Richard Bruton asked the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) to undertake a major review of RSE in schools across all stages of education to ensure that it is fit for purpose and meets the needs of young people today in modern Ireland.
The NCCA were asked to look at a number of specific issues in respect of RSE and the curriculum, in particular the importance of consent and what it means. Other areas looked at included, but were not limited to: developments in relation to contraception; healthy, positive, sexual expression and relationships; safe use of the Internet; the role of school ethos: and, LGBTQ+ matters.
The Report on the Review of Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) in primary and post-primary schools was published by the NCCA on 11th of December, 2019.
As part of the review of RSE an extensive consultation occurred. Feedback was facilitated through an online survey, written submissions, round-table meetings and large events. Adjustments were made to the final report to reflect a stronger focus on issues that stakeholders wished to see highlighted, such as gender discrimination, sexual violence and pornography.
The purpose of the review was to examine the current experience of RSE within schools, the approach to teaching and learning, supports needed, and what is needed to improve RSE. It was not within the remit of the review or the Report to set out in detail what students should learn about in an updated RSE curriculum. Such considerations will be part of the work arising from the NCCA Report. The work in redeveloping and updating the curriculum is being undertaken within the curriculum development structures in the NCCA and there will be opportunities for public and stakeholder engagement in this process.
The Report does not set out an exhaustive list of the topics that will be included in any future SPHE/RSE curriculum or details on how any specific topic might be taught or contextualised. Important issues such as consent need to be taught within a wider context of particular issues and it is the view of the NCCA that guidance materials and professional development for teachers are needed to create this wider understanding of what is involved.
The NCCA has established two development groups for SPHE/RSE, one for primary and one for post-primary, to oversee the work in this area and support the development of guidance material for schools.
The immediate focus of the work is on creating support materials for teachers for publication online as part of the Interim Guidance Toolkit. The toolkit's purpose is to support effective teaching and learning of SPHE/RSE linked to the current curriculum. This work is progressing well and sections of the toolkit have been published already, with further sections being published on an ongoing basis.
In tandem with providing these immediate supports for teachers, preparation for the broader redeveloping and updating of the SPHE curriculum is well under way, with an initial focus on the Junior Cycle. The review of the current Junior Cycle SPHE course was approved by the NCCA Council in the summer. This review contains a brief which will inform the work of the subject development groups in formulating an updated Junior Cycle SPHE specification, which began in September.
Recognising the importance of the consultative approach the final round consultation will take place prior to finalising the new specification by end 2022. It is planned the new specification will be rolled out to all schools from September 2023 to facilitate CPD. The redevelopment of the Junior Cycle SPHE and RSE curriculum materials will be followed by the redevelopment of the Senior Cycle and Primary curriculums. Resources to equip teachers with the skills, competence and confidence to teach the curriculum effectively will also be developed.
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.
