Teacher Training

Tuesday, 8 October 2024

Questions (166)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

166. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Education if she has given permission for the OIDE Toolkit to be used in schools; if she supports the idea that students should avoid heteronormative language; if she has given permission for training to be given to SPHE teachers that they should introduce themselves to students using their personal pronouns; if she has given permission for teaching to be delivered in SPHE on the basis of gender affirmation rather than science; if her Department has conducted any study into the damaged caused to children by gender affirmation ideology; if so, to provide examples of this research; and if she realises that most European countries are reversing from the ideology of gender affirmation on the basis of the damage it does to children. [39621/24]

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Written answers

Minister for Education

In regard to the curriculum itself, this is considered to be for all learners regardless of race, religion, socioeconomic background, gender or orientation. It is the aim of my Department that every child has access to equitable education, and that each learner feels safe and happy in an inclusive and welcoming school environment, at every stage.

In regard to the toolkit referenced by the Deputy, I take it that this is the online toolkit of resources published by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment. These have been created in direct response to teachers’ request for support for classroom teaching of SPHE, and there are three online toolkits – one for primary, one for junior cycle and one for senior cycle teachers. All three are available on www.curriculumonline.ie . These resources are carefully selected for Irish classrooms and mapped out according to the age and stage of learners.

Teachers may choose to avail of these resources if they so wish. They are advised to judge the relevance and appropriateness of each resource in the context of their students’ unique needs, stage of development and school context. Some of the resources are listed as background reading for teachers and others are listed as for use in the classroom. No inappropriate graphic or explicit material should ever be used in a classroom setting.

Question No. 167 answered with Question No. 165.