Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 March 2019
28. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on amending the Education Act 1998 to allow for the implementation of a relationships and sexuality education syllabus independent of school ethos; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10865/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchools are currently required to develop a policy on Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) which should reflect the core values and ethos of the school as outlined in the school’s mission statement. My Department has published policy guidelines to support schools in developing their RSE policy. The guidelines, drafted in consultation with the education partners, provide a framework for Boards of Management to ensure that the policy development process allows for issues of concern to each of the participating groups – board, teachers, parents and students, as appropriate – to be raised, discussed and decided upon. Spiritual, moral and ethical issues may arise when teaching RSE. The school’s RSE policy should guide teachers in the treatment of such issues, in accordance with the ethos of the school. It is important to note that all schools are required to teach all aspects of the RSE programme. Elements of the programme cannot be omitted on the grounds of school ethos.
At my request the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) is currently carrying out a review of relationships and sexuality education in schools. In undertaking its review, the NCCA will examine how the RSE curriculum is delivered in different school types. This involves consideration of a range of RSE policies and how they impact on the manner in which the RSE curriculum is delivered in different schools. I expect to receive the report from the NCCA around mid-year. The findings in that report will help inform a decision on any changes that are deemed necessary to the current policy in this area, including the precise mechanism or mechanisms to be used to put these changes into effect.
