Co Kildare secondary schools to introduce classes on consent as Education Minister calls for review of current curriculm

By Kim O'Leary

More than 20 Co. Kildare secondary schools are expected to soon introduce classes to discuss consent and relationships with students which follows calls by Education Minsister Richard Bruton for a nationwide review into the teaching of sexual education and relationships, and social media.

As reported by RTE.ie, the first update to the curriculum in over 20 years will see students taught about sexuality and relationships, contraception, as well as the dangers of social media.

Minister for Education Richard Bruton has said that the review is timely as students are facing situations that are different compared to 20 years ago when the relationships and sexual education (RSE) was last reviewed for schools nationwide.

It is understood that Minister Bruton has asked the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment to consider a number of other areas in conducting its evaluation, including "healthy, positive sexual expression, safe use of the internet, and LGBTQ+ matters".

The minister also asked the NCCA to examine the experience and reality of RSE as it is delivered in schools.

In a statement announcing a review of the curriculum and its delivery, Minister Bruton said:

"It is important that we review this area of learning to make sure that we are adequately providing information to students regarding sexuality and relationships through the curriculum. The RSE curriculum fulfils an important function. Every student has a right to access information about sexual health, relationships and sexuality, and this must be delivered in a factual manner in every school."

He added: "This review will help to inform decisions regarding the content of the curriculum and how it is delivered. I want to ensure that the RSE curriculum meets the needs of young people today, who face a range of different issues to those faced by young people in the late 1990s."

Meanwhile, Social, Personal and Health Education or SPHE is a mandatory curriculum subject in all primary schools and in the junior cycle at secondary school level and it includes talks in relation to sexual education and relationships. The Department of Education said that RSE is required at all levels, from primary through to senior cycle.