What is the sex education curriculum in Irish schools?

Justin1982

Hey,

I was just wondering what the sex education curriculum is in Irish schools? Or is there any standard given in all schools? Or does it really depend on the school and differ largely from school to school?

I'm 33 so its about 15 years since I was in secondary school. I was just complaining to my partner the other day about how crap sex education was in the Irish schooling system when I was growing up. I basically heard about sex in a hay shed at the age of 8 and never heard another mention of it (in an educational sense) until a month ago when I googled the real chance of getting pregnant while using the pill or a condom. Nearly had heart failure when I discovered how unreliable the condom is in reality :eek:

My partner works in a country primary school and claims that organizations like Veritas give indept sex education throughout the primary school years and the kids can ask any question they want and its throughout the country. Alas I fall in the category of "Ye of little faith" when it comes to anything ever being done correctly in Ireland especially when it comes to sex education. Particularly when I discover Veritas is some sort of Catholic organization and when I ask my partner what the curriculum is and she tells me its all done without the teachers in the classroom so the teachers aren't sure whats really being discussed. And its only taught in primary school? Doesn't extend into secondary school? And is contraception discussed?

mulbot

The way it's gone now,it's the children that could give lessons in sex ed!!

Harpy

I remember being taught by I'm pretty sure it was a nun although it could of just been an old woman in 5th or 6th clas.. I just remember her telling us how friends was a bad TV show to watch and that we shouldn't be watching it,something about it being evil..

I think I also recall a banana and a condom but that could also just be made up in my head...

Either way it want the most informative sex ed

full_irish

I believe that this is the gold-standard teaching video on the subject!

otpmb

Primary school seemed to be a lot of stranger danger, saying no if you are uncomfortable, not letting people touch you, bullying etc, with puberty being discussed in 5th and 6th and judging by what my cousins say not much has changed in the last 8 years. Teachers are still awkward during the puberty talk.

Unfortunately Secondary school is pretty terrible in comparison, we had regular S.P.H.E talks in 1st year where we spoke about "safe" topics like making friends and bullying, no puberty or sex talk but, after first year we had very little sexual health education. I remember STIs being discussed and the importance of condoms but, no demo shown on how to put would one on and very little information of other forms of contraception or abortion (which was discussed in religion). Sex wasn’t really discussed either. Sexuality was sort of covered in TY. Crisis pregnancy was discussed at the end of 6th year (a bit late for some people though) and it was fairly skewed towards keeping the baby. All in all though, it wasn’t particularly structured in Secondary school.

nermal15

Relationships and Sexuality Education is included in the SPHE programme from 1st to 3rd year in secondary schools, which deals with puberty, romantic relationships, pregnancy etc. Could probably have more practical information about sexual relationships.

In my school, RSE is taught as part of the Religion programme at 4th-6th year, including STIs, contraception, etc. In my experience, this is done in a detached manner. There is a framework for this available as part of the SPHE/RSE programme.

Justin1982

nermal15 wrote: »

Relationships and Sexuality Education is included in the SPHE programme from 1st to 3rd year in secondary schools, which deals with puberty, romantic relationships, pregnancy etc. Could probably have more practical information about sexual relationships.

In my school, RSE is taught as part of the Religion programme at 4th-6th year, including STIs, contraception, etc. In my experience, this is done in a detached manner. There is a framework for this available as part of the SPHE/RSE programme.

So do you reckon kids are going into secondary school fully equipped with enough facts? Also do you think teenagers are hitting 15-16 with all the facts to prepare them for the real world and all the things that teenagers are getting up to?

I'm just amused at the number of family, friends and neighbors who have either gotten unintentionally pregnant or ended up with an STD of some sort over the years. The number of crisis pregnancies is pretty staggering. I don't know what the stats are on it but I'd imagine its pretty high throughout the country. STD's you probably don't hear about as much but I'm always surprised when I hear about the people who contract them.

byhookorbycrook

RSE starts in junior infants:

"Topics for pupils from junior infants
to second class will include:
expressing opinions and listening to the opinions of others
the different changes taking place in the children’s bodies as
they grow and develop
caring for themselves regarding hygiene, exercise and sleep
keeping safe, knowing what to do if they get lost
recognising and expressing feelings like happiness and sadness
appreciating and understanding family life
making and having friends
coping with “falling out” with friends
making responsible choices appropriate to their age

Topics for pupils from third to sixth classes will include:
caring for themselves regarding hygiene, exercise and sleep
keeping themselves safe
changes in their bodies as they mature and develop
how babies are conceived and born
(5th/6th class programme)
their feelings and the appropriate expression of these feelings
extended family relationships
making healthy and responsible decisions
the nature of friendship
handling conflict in friendshipsw evaluating the portrayal of relationships and sexuality
in the media. "


In our school, the teachers don't rely on an outsider to come in a give "the talk", it's done by the class teacher and makes it easier for the children to ask questions and understand better than a once off talk can do.
There is also an emphasis on talking to your parent/s

No matter what a child learns in school, unless there is parental reinforcement at home, the ed. system is at nothing.

nermal15

Justin1982 wrote: »

So do you reckon kids are going into secondary school fully equipped with enough facts? Also do you think teenagers are hitting 15-16 with all the facts to prepare them for the real world and all the things that teenagers are getting up to?

I'm just amused at the number of family, friends and neighbors who have either gotten unintentionally pregnant or ended up with an STD of some sort over the years. The number of crisis pregnancies is pretty staggering. I don't know what the stats are on it but I'd imagine its pretty high throughout the country. STD's you probably don't hear about as much but I'm always surprised when I hear about the people who contract them.

I think most of them are relatively clued-in about puberty etc. when they get to school. They probably get the contraception lessons too late for early prevention (Senior Cycle) Having taught it to some 5th years last year, you do get some shocked reactions at the revelation that having sex while on your period or 'pulling out' isn't a reliable form of contraception. I've only taught it to female students, so not sure about their male counterparts. I did ask the girls how they felt their sex education had been handled thus far, and they felt that they had received all the 'facts' so to speak, but not enough real life, applicable info.

solerina

nermal15 wrote: »

Relationships and Sexuality Education is included in the SPHE programme from 1st to 3rd year in secondary schools, which deals with puberty, romantic relationships, pregnancy etc. Could probably have more practical information about sexual relationships.

In my school, RSE is taught as part of the Religion programme at 4th-6th year, including STIs, contraception, etc. In my experience, this is done in a detached manner. There is a framework for this available as part of the SPHE/RSE programme.

SPHE is meant to be taught for the entire 5 / 6 years, we certainly have it the entire was through the school and Sex ed is very much a part of the curriculum. I think the quality of the delivery, like every other subject depends on the school and the teacher teaching it, but in terms of the OPs question, things have generally improved.