Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 3 Dec 1991

Vol. 413 No. 9

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers (Resumed). - Primary Curriculum Review Body Recommendations.

Joe Sherlock

Ceist:

14 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Education the progress which has been made with regard to implementing the recommendations of the Primary Curriculum Review Body on the inclusion of health education on the primary curriculum, and particularly that it include issues relating to sex education; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Michael Bell

Ceist:

70 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Education when he intends to establish the working parties recommended by the Primary Curriuclum Review Body; if he will outline the teacher representation which will be on these working parties; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 14 and 70 together.

The Primary Curriculum Review Body did not make any specific recommendations in regard to the establishment of working parties. In line with their remit, the review body gave particular attention to Irish, English and mathematics and to the issues of assessing pupil progress and evaluating the system overall. The review body also examined and made recommendations relating to a number of other curriculum issues, including health education.

While the review body noted that health education is of sufficient importance to warrant inclusion on the primary school curriculum, it was acknowledged that the constraints on time are such that the addition of another subject would introduce an element of overload that would not be helpful and can only lessen the instruction time available for existing subjects. Accordingly, the review body recommended that health education should be treated as a cross curricular theme in primary schools.

In addition the review body recommended an examination of issues relating to sexuality education and the implications for the primary curriculum.

The task of developing a strategy for curriculum reform in the primary sector has been assigned to the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment. The council's remit includes reviewing and advising the Minister for Education on the curriculum for primary schools with particular reference to curriculum development arising from the recommendations of the Primary Curriculum Review Body. Health education is one of the areas the NCCA will be examining.

My Department have facilitated the development of health education programmes for pupils through the secondment of two primary teachers to two health boards. Furthermore, my Department are in consultation with all health boards with a view to co-ordinating existing programme material on health education for pupils for transmission to the NCCA.

What is the Minister's view in regard to the need for the inclusion of health education at primary level? Will he agree that such health education should include issues relating to sex education, particularly in view of the recent statistics of teenage pregnancies, as some of the girls were barely out of primary school? Will the Minister agree that this is a matter of urgency?

My initial reaction is that I should hate to see the innocence of children taken away by bringing heavy matters to bear on them. However, I am shocked at the abuse and degradation of very young children. It is a matter which must be dealt with very carefully and we are asking the body to look at it because it is a very sensitive subject in some schools. Unfortunately, parents — to whom the body should be able to turn — are abusing children in some cases. Teachers are aware of the problem and are watching for signs of abuse while not necessarily including it in education.

Is the Minister aware that his views are in direct conflict with those of his predecessor? She agreed that health education, particularly sex education, should be included in the primary curriculum. Does the Minister disagree with her view?

No, I do not disagree. However, the recommendation came from the NCCA and they are using the cross curriculum issue in the schools to try to bring it in generally. However, I do not see much point in explaining sex activity to very young children in primary schools unless there is a danger of abuse to such children. In cases of that kind, they would have to be made aware of the problem.

Will the Minister agree that there is such a danger and that the matter should be a priority?

I accept that it is a danger. Everyone has been horrified by details of recent court cases; we will look at the matter and see how children can be made more aware of the problem without being too explicit.

As there is proven evidence from the daily newspapers and from the statistics from Childline that, last year, 29,000 calls were received from children seeking help, will the Minister agree that there is a crisis which needs to be addressed? Apart from this there is a need (a) to train teachers to deal with the problem and (b) to teach children themselves as to what inter-personal contacts are normal and healthy and what are not, so that they will be in a position to communicate their fears to teachers?

I am aware of the frightening figures and I am sure all Members are shocked by the growing number of these abuses. I am quite prepared to look at the matter in view of what the Deputy said in relation to educating teachers to watch for signs of abuse at an early stage in a child's life. We must try to improve the system so that if we cannot prevent child abuse we can at least rescue him or her immediately such signs are noticed.

Barr
Roinn