Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 June 2022
49. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Education the reforms in the relationships and sex education curriculum she will make to ensure issues relating to trans people and gender identity are fully covered in the curriculum; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34943/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe current Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) Curriculum strives to foster an understanding and appreciation of all children. Through the curriculum objectives, children are supported to develop self-confidence and a positive sense of self, and to appreciate and respect the diversity that exists in society and to respect and appreciate human and cultural diversity. To this end, the curriculum aims to foster in the child a sense of care and respect for himself/herself and others and an appreciation of the dignity of every human being.
The SPHE curriculum also places emphasis on the use of inclusive and respectful language to promote a positive school climate where all children are valued, cared for and respected. Within the strand Myself, children are encouraged to see themselves as unique individuals and that individuality is expressed in many different ways. In the strand unit Developing citizenship where difference is celebrated, children are provided with opportunity to explore the diversity of the world in which they live, examine how inequality and discrimination can occur and suggest ways this might be addressed. This curriculum has been in place since 1999.
In 2019, the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) conducted a review of Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) at primary and post-primary levels. The full report from the review is available here: ncca.ie/media/4319/report-on-the-review-of-relationships-and-sexuality-education-rse-in-primary-and-post-primary-schools.pdf.
The review found that "The need to review the curriculum and bring it up-to-date is clear" (NCCA, 2019, p. 73). The following areas were specifically mentioned as needing to be considered and addressed in an updated curriculum:
- The effects of the internet and social media on relationships
- Self-identity and self-esteem
- Consent and its relevance to all interpersonal relationships
- LGBTQ+ matters
- Healthy positive sexual expression
- Developments in contraception.
In addition, the review found the need to provide clarity on topics which need to be addressed at different stages of children’s development ensuring they are taught in sensitive and age-appropriate ways.
This report resulted in the NCCA establishing two development groups, one for primary and one for post-primary, to oversee the work of developing an updated curriculum materials in this area and supporting the development of guidance material for schools.
The immediate focus of the work of the NCCA has been on creating support materials for teachers for publication online as part of an Interim Guidance Toolkit. The toolkit's purpose is to support effective teaching and learning of SPHE and RSE linked to the current curriculum and to provide guidance on how SPHE and RSE may be approached in a comprehensive way that meets the needs of young people today. This work is progressing well and already teachers will find much support there, including a portal repository of teaching and learning resources linked to the Primary SPHE Curriculum, the SPHE Junior Cycle Short Course and the Senior Cycle SPHE Framework.
In tandem with this work, preparation for the broader redeveloping and updating of the SPHE curriculum has begun. Updated curricula will be developed for Primary, Junior Cycle and Senior Cycle.
A draft revised Junior Cycle specification has recently been approved by NCCA Council, with a public consultation to follow, running from July to October. It is expected that the finalised specification will be presented to Council for approval early 2023, and subject to my approval, will be implemented in schools in September 2023.
Work in preparing a background paper that will inform the updating of senior cycle SPHE/RSE is underway. This paper will be finalised and presented to Council for approval for consultation in September 2022. It is intended that the curriculum redevelopment work will commence in September 2022 and a draft updated specification for senior cycle SPHE will be ready for public consultation by summer 2023 and finalised in early 2024 for implementation in schools in September 2024.
Following publication of the Primary Curriculum Framework, expected in early 2023, the NCCA will establish a development group which is due to commence development on updated primary specifications in Quarter 4 2022, with a draft estimated to be available for public consultation in Quarter 1 2024.
Building on the findings of the Review of RSE, NCCA is committed to developing an inclusive, age-appropriate curriculum that ensures that all children and young people can recognise themselves, their families and communities reflected across their learning.
