The lessons will be provided for an hour a week.

It is part of a major overhaul of the curriculum. There have been a number of recent reports critical of how the subject is taught in Northern Ireland.īut there has been criticism of Mr Heaton Harris's move by representatives of Protestant and Catholic churches. Sex education will become compulsory for 15 to 18 year olds. That is because the Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris recently laid new regulations in Parliament on RSE. Meanwhile in Northern Ireland, it will be compulsory for all post-primary schools to teach pupils about access to abortion and prevention of early pregnancy from January 2024. In the Into Adulthood lessons, pupils will be taught about 'allyship skills' to challenge unfair or abusive behaviour.Īccording to the NCCA, that involves 'recognising and using one’s privileged status (for example as white or male or Irish person) to support individuals from minority identity groups'.Ī consultation on the new curriculum is taking place until October.Ĭatholic Bishops have previously approved distinct RSE lessons for Catholic primary schools in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. In addition, they will learn about 'how harmful attitudes around gender are perpetuated in the media, online and in society' and how to challenge those.Īccording to the NCCA guidance, the lessons should be taught in a way that LGBTQ+ identities, relationships and families are fully integrated in teachings, rather than being part of stand-alone lessons. Pupils will also be taught about safe sex, responses to unplanned pregnancy and accessing sexual health services. That will include 'a particular focus on violence against women and girls.'

The relationships and sexuality lessons will teach pupils about 'nurturing respectful, caring and healthy relationships'.Īmong the topics covered will be 'consent, intimacy and mutual pleasure' and how to identify abusive or violent relationships. There will be lessons on health and wellbeing, relationships and sexuality and 'into adulthood'. Under the planned changes in the Republic of Ireland, post-primaries will be expected to provide one hour a week of SPHE lessons to senior pupils.

Anime song pack stepmania