Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 October 2024
96. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to a video released by an organisation (details supplied) featuring an interview with a former social, personal and health education, SPHE, teacher and co-ordinator; if she will review correspondence received from concerned parents in County Tipperary regarding the teaching and proposed SPHE syllabus; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39590/24]
View answerThe new Junior Cycle SPHE curriculum specification was introduced in September 2023 for all first years. It has four strands: Understanding Myself and Others; Making Healthy Choices; Relationship and Sexuality; and Emotional Wellbeing. The aim of the course is to build students’ self-awareness and positive self-worth; to develop the knowledge, understanding, skills, dispositions and values that will support them to lead fulfilling and healthy lives; empower them to create, nurture and maintain respectful and loving relationships with self and others; and enhance their capacity to contribute positively to society.
Teaching and learning with this new curriculum is designed to be appropriate for the age and stage of development of students, whether in first year, second year or third year. This is based on research and the extensive public consultation led by the NCCA in 2022.
Any suggestion that teachers would be expected to teach or introduce explicit content or topics is false. The curriculum categorically does not expose children to graphic or explicit content, or normalise the use of pornography. On the contrary, key messages would be that pornography is not a good place to go to learn about sex, that it can be disturbing and even damaging for young people, and that it is incompatible with values of human dignity, respect and gender equality.
In accordance with Section 30 of the Education Act, 1998, parents have a right to have their children opt out of classes which are contrary to the conscience of the parent if they so wish.
In regard to the Graduate Diploma in SPHE/RSE is provided by Dublin City University (DCU) Institute of Education, this programme aims to upskill post-primary teachers of SPHE/RSE for classes to Senior Cycle level. It was developed following a tendering process, and is fully academically accredited through DCU’s quality assurance processes for any new programme.
It is understood that a video has been circulating suggesting that teachers will be expected to introduce certain explicit and inappropriate topics and materials in the classroom. DCU have confirmed this is categorically not the case. Teachers participating in the DCU programme will be involved in critical exploration of resources and content related to SPHE, including examples used internationally as well as materials accessed by children and young adults directly. These materials are not intended for use in the classroom but to support teachers in discussing difficult and sensitive topics as they arise. As such, the material studied and viewed by teachers on the course is provided to them as adults and it is clearly understood that no inappropriate graphic or explicit material should ever be used in a classroom.
