Teenagers will be taught about porn as part of the new Junior Cert syllabus.
Education Minister Norma Foley has announced a major revamp of the way sex is set to be taught to children in secondary schools.
The course has not changed in over 20 years, with Minister Foley saying yesterday that change is needed because the course is “outdated.”
Read More: Porn lessons to become part of curriculum for Junior Cert students
The courses have been modernised with the dangers of pornography, the importance of consent and the harm that sharing images online can cause now featuring strongly on the proposed new RSE (Relationships and Sexuality Education) curriculum.
The NCCA (National Council for Curriculum and Assessment) has commpleted a review of the way sex is taught in our schools and have come up with a major overhaul of the RSE.
The draft new curriculum covers topics ranging from bias, inequality or exclusion to development of emotional resilience and addiction.
“It includes topics like healthy, unhealthy and abusive relationships, human sexuality and gender identity, consent, the importance of safer sexual activity including contraception.
And in a major move, the influence of digital media including pornography and the sharing of digital images online are introduced to children in first, second and third year.
The suggestions will now go out for public consultation where parents, teachers, students and other interested parties can have their say.
It is hoped that the new courses could start to be taught from September 2023.
Minister Foley said: “I am pleased the NCCA has today opened its consultation phase on the draft junior cycle curriculum for Social, Personal and Health Education, including Relationships and Sexuality.
“The draft curriculum published today is the result of extensive work by the NCCA subject development group, based on research, evidence and engagement with stakeholders.
“The publication of this document and opening of the consultation phase is an important step, to ensure that a wide range of views are heard on this topic.
“The NCCA has engaged with the student voice and listened carefully to what they have said. “The aim is to ensure that we have a modern and appropriate curriculum. that reflects modern, day to day challenges and equips our students with the knowledge and skills that they need to make informed, healthy life choices.
“I encourage those with an interest in this area to make a submission, and when schools return in September the NCCA will begin a process of direct engagement to hear the views of all members of school communities.”
There was a broad welcome for the proposed curriculum changes yesterday, with teachers’ union ASTI (Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland), the RCNI (Rape Crisis Network Ireland) and politicians all welcoming the proposals.
However, the leader of Aontú, Peadar Tóibín, has come out against the changes, saying that the government should be concentrating on “stopping porn” instead of teaching about it.
Mr Tóibín said: “Instead of tackling the consumption by children of hardcore pornography at source the government are going to allow it to continue and try to teach young children to navigate their way through it.
“While there does not seem to be much detail provided as to how this will be delivered, no doubt many parents will be extremely concerned at this plan.
“That Relationship Education is increasingly outsourced to schools only is also of concern.
“A recent Dáil Education Committee heard that teachers are increasingly uncomfortable teaching Sex Ed material as they felt that it is not age appropriate.
“We need to empower parents to be able to speak to their own children about sex and sexuality.
“Parents have their children’s best interest at heart and should feel comfortable discussing relationship issues with their children.”
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