The relationships and sexuality education (RSE) programme for Junior Cert students is set to be revamped with new teaching recommendations made on topics such as pornography, gender identity and consent.
A draft review of the current programme will be published later today in order to assess the proposed changes. The document will invite the public to comment on the proposals and share their own recommendations as part of the consultation process.
“The catalyst for these changes is to empower our students to meet the challenges of life in the 21st century,” Minister for Education Norma Foley told listeners in an interview with Morning Ireland.
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The plans partially stem from the views of students who believed there was too much focus on the biological aspects of sex in RSE lessons but little discussion on the emotional and social aspects of sexual health. The current curriculum has been in place for approximately 20 years and needs to be revised for modern audiences, according to the Minister.
The plans will emphasise online safety and the risks that pornography and sexual images can carry for young people on the Internet. Norma says that discussions relating to sex and the Internet will be done in a safe and inclusive environment.
“We’re ensuring that our young people are being given the skills to tackle a reality that is a feature of life today. They have an access to this reality via their mobile phones that did not exist 20 years ago,” Norma explained.
Sexuality, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) is the official name of the subject relating to sexual health that is taught to Junior Cycle students. It is a compulsory part of the education system, although it does not form part of the Junior Certificate examinations.
The consultative period on the draft curriculum will remain open until the October 18, a timespan which Norma says is twice the length of a normal consultation on school curriculums. She encouraged people both within and outside of school communities to share their insights on the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) website.
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