Ms Annette Honan:

Senator Warfield asked how we ensure that the Cinderella subjects, as it were, are taken more seriously within the curriculum by students, teachers and parents, who frequently might value the academic subject more highly. Part of that is about awareness raising for all of these people, including parents, so that parents are aware of the importance and value of comprehensive sexuality education, SPHE in particular, and the way it protects their children from many risks and dangers they will encounter now and in the future.

The other key element is the professional development work. I know we have mentioned it before but when we have well-trained, confident and competent teachers in the classroom, it elevates the status of every subject. Students love it when they know the teacher is committed to teaching and is teaching competently, no matter what subject they are doing. Our research shows that to be the case across the curriculum. The professional development element is really important.