Compulsory sex education imminent for students in fifth and sixth years
New SPHE Syllabus to Address Modern Challenges Facing Irish Youth
Ireland is introducing a revamped Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) syllabus for older post-primary students, aiming to address the growing complexities that young people face as they grow up in today's society. The new curriculum, set to be taught in both fifth and sixth year, will be mandatory across the post-primary sector.
The new SPHE programme is structured into three strands: Health and Well-being, Relationships and Sexuality, and Into Adulthood. Each strand focuses on specific aspects of personal development, social awareness, and well-being.
The Health and Well-being strand concentrates on students' physical, social, emotional, and mental health. It covers topics such as mental health and emotional well-being, physical health and hygiene, and personal safety and resilience.
The Relationships and Sexuality strand delves into sexual activity as an aspect of adult relationships characterised by care, respect, consent, intimacy, and mutual pleasure. It also examines harmful attitudes around gender, how they are perpetuated in the media, online, and in society, and investigates the influence of pornography on attitudes, behaviors, and relationship expectations. Students will discuss sensitive topics such as image-based abuse, sexual harassment, sexual assault, and rape, and provide guidance on what to do if they or someone they know has experienced any of these.
The Into Adulthood strand covers topics related to students' transition into adulthood, including ethical and moral development, social responsibility, and active citizenship. It is designed to be inclusive of all genders, sexualities, ethnicities, religious beliefs, social classes, and abilities/disabilities, and the new curriculum should be taught in a way that fully integrates and reflects LGBTQ+ identities, relationships, and families.
The draft programme has been developed with a focus on contemporary issues such as digital well-being, diversity, and inclusion, though further confirmation from the Department of Education Ireland or relevant curriculum documents is required for complete specifics.
Public consultation on the draft syllabus will run until mid-October. The new SPHE syllabus is being introduced as a result of evidence showing the important role that school-based health education programmes can play in supporting young people.
For a fully detailed and official description of the new SPHE syllabus for older post-primary students, checking the latest curriculum publications from the Irish Department of Education or the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) would be necessary, as these are the official authorities on the subject. The new syllabus is set to be introduced this coming September, marking a significant step forward in supporting the social, emotional, and physical well-being of Ireland's young people.
[1] European Commission: Education and Training [3] UNESCO: Health and Well-being Education
The new SPHE syllabus, focusing on modern challenges, integrates science into discussions about mental health and personal safety, promoting students' overall well-being. In addition, the programme encourages education and self-development by addressing contemporary issues such as digital well-being, diversity, and inclusion, aligning with international initiatives like those of the European Commission: Education and Training and UNESCO: Health and Well-being Education.
