Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 October 2024
317. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education the way the course provided by DCU to teachers regarding the SPHE curriculum was paid for; if her Department authorised or initiated the course; if the content provided to the participants was approved by her Department; her Departments policy on the content of the course; and the Government's policy on the changes if any to the current SPHE curriculum content. [41526/24]
View answerThe Deputy may be aware that a new Junior Cycle SPHE specification was introduced in schools for those entering first year in September 2023, and in September of this year, an updated SPHE curriculum for Senior Cycle has been made available for schools to introduce by September 2027 for students entering fifth year.
The Junior Cycle specification was the first to be updated. The new Junior Cycle SPHE specification was introduced in schools for those entering first year in September 2023. 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.
The specifications are available on the NCCA’s website www.curriculumonline.ie . The NCCA has also published a toolkit of resources which includes guidance for the teaching of SPHE.
I have also approved an updated SPHE curriculum for Senior Cycle. The specification is designed as a mandatory component to support 60 hours of teaching and learning over two years, reflecting the importance of SPHE for young people at this stage in their post-primary education.
Schools have until September 2027 to introduce the specification for students entering fifth year, with the exception of students following the Leaving Certificate Applied (see below). This provides continuity with the Junior Cycle SPHE specification for the first post-Transition Year cohort of students to have completed the Junior Cycle specification.
The timeline will be subject to the necessary preparatory work in relation to provision of teacher education and resources, as well as consideration of other practical issues including timetabling.
The new specification will replace Social Education modules I and II of the Leaving Certificate Applied. It is planned that this change will apply for all LCA students entering 5th year in 2025.
As with the Junior Cycle SPHE specification, an extensive consultation took place in 2023, led by the NCCA, as part of the development of the specification.
To build teacher capacity in the teaching of SPHE, in 2022, I announced the provision of a Graduate Diploma in Social, Personal and Health Education and Relationships and Sexuality Education SPHE/RSE for post-primary teachers to be provided by DCU.
The DCU programme was developed following a tendering process and is fully academically accredited through DCU’s quality assurance processes for any new programme. DCU has extensive experience and expertise in the field of teacher education, including, specifically, personnel with significant research experience in SPHE/RSE.
The Department does not provide funding directly to teachers participating in the programme. Rather, the cost of the course fee is provided directly to DCU and equates to €6,000 per teacher completing the programme.
The Department, through its payroll subheads, also covers substitution costs for participants during the block release element of the programme.
This programme is the first of its kind in Ireland and offers post-primary teachers the opportunity to upskill in this very important subject area, something that has been called for by teacher representative groups.
The teaching of SPHE/RSE is a complex endeavour given the breadth and perceived sensitivities of the topics addressed. The programme developed by DCU offers the integrity of an evidence-based approach, grounded in models of good practice, delivered by a core team of highly qualified teacher educators with leadership and expertise in SPHE/RSE pedagogy, nationally and internationally recognised researchers and experienced blended learning designs.
It provides a pathway for progression for Post Primary teachers interested in developing their skills in teaching SPHE/RSE and, in so doing, builds capacity and leadership within the teaching profession in relation to teaching in this important area.
Teachers participating in the programme will be involved in critical exploration of resources and content related to SPHE, including examples used internationally as well as material accessed by children and young adults directly. As such, difficult and sensitive topics may arise. However, teachers as professionals work to the highest standards. They need to be trusted to responsibly mediate curricula having regard to the school or class context and age-appropriateness, child protection and safeguarding issues.
