Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 July 2021
83. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Education the timeline for the publication of the new relationship and sexual educations programme; the status of same versus any other relationship and sexual education programme; if it will be a mandatory curriculum as opposed to a discretionary one in schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35107/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAccess to sexual and health education is an important right for students. Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) is mandatory in all primary schools and in post-primary Junior Cycle. Relationships and Sexuality Education (or RSE) is required at all levels, from primary through to Senior Cycle. My Department has set out the content for each of these programmes in SPHE syllabuses and guidelines.
The NCCA has established two development groups for SPHE/RSE, one for primary and one for post-primary, to oversee the work in this area and support the development of guidance material for schools.
The immediate focus of the work is on creating support materials for teachers for publication online as part of the Interim Guidance Toolkit. The toolkit's purpose is to support effective teaching and learning of SPHE/RSE linked to the current curriculum. This work is progressing well and sections of the toolkit have been published already, with further sections being published on an ongoing basis.
In tandem, preparation for the broader redeveloping and updating of the SPHE curriculum as recommended in the NCCA Report has begun, with an initial focus on Junior Cycle. The review of the current Junior Cycle SPHE course has been completed and approved for public consultation. This review contains a brief which will inform the work of the subject development groups in formulating an updated Junior Cycle SPHE specification, which will begin in September. A draft of the updated specification will be available for public consultation in Q1 of 2022.
