Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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79. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to provide an update on the current state of the relationships and sexual education curriculum provided to students at a primary and secondary school level. [30524/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Access to Relationships and Sexuality Education, or RSE, and Social, Personal and Health Education, or SPHE, is an important right for students. For this reason, RSE and SPHE curriculums are a core part of the student experience at both primary and post-primary level. Furthermore, recognising that it is essential that students have access to relevant and up-to-date information, the Department has undertaken a very significant reform of these curriculums.

This work follows on from a review of RSE by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment across primary and post-primary. That review said there was unanimous agreement among students about the importance of Relationships and Sexuality Education. Students said that they wanted a safe and inclusive environment where they can discuss, ask questions and talk about all aspects of relationships and sexuality.

An updated Junior Cycle SPHE specification, incorporating RSE, was published by the NCCA in May 2023 and was rolled out in schools last September. This followed on from an extensive public consultation on a draft specification, which took place in 2022. The aim of the SPHE course is to build students’ self-awareness and positive self-worth; to develop the knowledge, understanding, skills, dispositions and values that will support them to lead fulfilling and healthy lives; empower them to create, nurture and maintain respectful and loving relationships with self and others; and enhance their capacity to contribute positively to society.

To support the introduction of the specification, a two-day teacher professional learning programme was introduced by Oide in March 2023, with substitution cover available. This has continued into the 2023-2024 school year and is planned again for the 2024-2025 school year. 1,016 teachers attended this professional learning programme between March 2023 and December 2023.

An updated Senior Cycle SPHE specification has been finalised by the NCCA following a public consultation which took place between July and November 2023. It is intended that the SPHE specification for Senior Cycle will be made available to schools shortly. Work is ongoing in regard to the necessary planning and preparatory work, including classroom resources and teacher professional learning, planned for the 2024-2025 school year.

A public consultation took place on the draft Primary Wellbeing curriculum from March to the end of June this year. The specification will be finalised with the intention that it will be introduced in the 2025/26 school year.

In addition to teacher professional learning specific to the introduction of the updated curricula, the first ever postgraduate programme to upskill registered post-primary teachers teaching SPHE/RSE commenced in January 2023 and is running again in 2024. Depending on demand, it is intended that further intakes to the programme in the future will be offered. The programme, funded by the Department of Education and provided by DCU Institute of Education, provides a pathway for progression for post-primary teachers interested in developing their skills in teaching SPHE/RSE. In so doing, it will build capacity and leadership within the teaching profession. The upskilling programme and course fees are covered by Department funding while substitute cover is provided to allow participating students to undertake the programme.