A new sex education module for the Junior Cert is “all about preparing children for the real world”, according to The Humanist Society.

Following a review of the current relationships and sexuality education [RSE] for Junior Cycle, a new sex education programme has been announced.

It will teach students about consent, sexual orientation, gender identity and the influence of pornography.

On Newstalk Breakfast the Catholic Secondary Schools Parents Association [CSSPA] President Alan Whelan said Catholic parents “expect the ethos of our schools to be recognised and accepted.”

He said reports suggesting this would not be the case with the new RSE curriculum are “frightening”.

“We also find it frightening that … this Education Department under Norma Foley has not engaged with parents as partners – we find this absolutely frightening.

“We don’t know what is coming and how whatever is coming, is coming in September. Teachers have not been trained.”

‘Real world’

Humanist Society CEO Jillian Brennan said the revised curriculum was about “preparing children for the real world” rather than “making a judgement call” on consent, sexual orientation, gender identity and the influence of pornography.

“I think that it’s important that all young people should have the same education, regardless of which school or which type of school ethos that they are educated under,” she said.

“It shouldn’t be that, if one child is going to a religious school, that they come away learning different items.

Ms Brennan said “there were almost 8000 parents consulted” during the 2018 review of RSE.

According to the report on the review of RSE, “a total of 7,891 responses from parents” were considered.

‘Ethical pornography’

Mr Whelan said gender and ethical pornography were not part of the review when it was conducted.

“I want to know what the Government means about [ethical pornography],” he said.

“Our schools are places of great acceptance of young people. What is frightening is that the minister, without consultation, is going to bring into schools these battlegrounds on these culture wars.”

'This is the reality'

Ms Brennan said that students are not likely to want to discuss these issues with caregivers.

“If you ignore these topics, and don’t teach about them in a relevant age-appropriate manner, that simply drives young people to look at other sources of information – where they might not get the most helpful or appropriate information,” she said.

“I think it’s much better to accept that this is the reality and let's inform and prepare our young people for dealing with that reality in the best way possible.”

The new syllabus for Junior Cycle is due to be introduced in schools next September.

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