Written answers
Thursday, 14 July 2022
Department of Defence
Departmental Bodies
Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
468. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she has given approval to the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment’s documents titled an inclusive approach to SPHE/RSE – LGBTI+ identities and the use of inclusive and respectful language which appear on her Department’s website and is advice for teachers of national school children; if it is her policy that teachers of primary school children should use and understand a list of terms when teaching (details supplied); if it is her policy that teachers of national school children should be discouraged from using the phrase boys and girls and are encouraged to use gender-neutral alternatives; if it is her policy that picture books are used to teach children in primary school about gender identity; and the discussions or consultations that she has undertaken with parents and their representative groups in terms of trans issues being taught to primary school children. [38814/22]
Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
The role of the school is to provide an appropriate education for all its pupils. Schools have autonomy in choosing the resources and programmes that best support the work within their own classrooms.
The curriculum, as approved by the Minister, at both primary and post primary level, is considered to be for all learners regardless of race, religion, socioeconomic background, gender or orientation. It is the aim of the Department of Education that every child has access to equitable education and that each learner feels safe and happy in the school environment, at every stage.
Materials are developed to support the delivery of the curriculum as approved by the Minister.
All Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programmes provided by Department-funded support services to teachers include provision for teaching and learning in the inclusive classroom through differentiated teaching methodologies.
As part of this Department’s ongoing curricular reform, issues in relation to inclusivity and diversity will be considered as part of the ongoing reviews in relation to the curriculum at both primary and post-primary level.
No comments