Northern Ireland

Protestant churches express 'deep concern' over changes to sex education in schools

The UK Government updated legislation for Northern Ireland schools on Tuesday.
The UK Government updated legislation for Northern Ireland schools on Tuesday.
By Allan Preston

Protestant churches in Northern Ireland have expressed “deep concern” over changes to relationship and sexuality education (RSE) in schools.

The UK Government introduced the legislation on Tuesday to ensure school pupils receive age-appropriate information about contraception and abortion services.

It means the Department of Education will have a duty to issue guidance on the content and delivery of the curriculum at the start of next year, as well as setting out the regulations in which a parent can ask for a pupil to be excused from that education.

The Transferor Representatives’ Council represents the Church of Ireland, Presbyterian and Methodist Churches.

In a statement they questioned making policy for local schools from Westminster.

The council chair, Dr Andrew Brown, said: “Laws and policies for Northern Ireland should be made in Northern Ireland by ministers who have been locally elected by its citizens – an electorate which includes parents, teachers, carers and guardians.”

He said the announcement’s timing in the middle of exam season was “questionable” and reduced the time available for any meaningful consultation with teachers or board of governors.

Dr Brown said a report stating that RSE in Northern Ireland was ‘underdeveloped or non-existent’ was “unfair and unfounded,” noting that all schools were required to create their own policy, subject to consultation with parents and pupils.

“We are supportive of high-quality RSE at age-appropriate levels in line with the Department of Education’s current guidance and would welcome an updated curriculum, to cover issues such as consent and attitudes to women.  We remain supportive of this approach which respects the needs of our young people and the communities in which we live.”

In contrast, the changes were applauded by the Northern Ireland Humanists who said that the current option of applying RSE in ‘harmony with the ethos of the school’ often led to key topics being excluded.

Calling it “a massive step forward,” the organisation’s coordinator Boyd Sleator said: “Adolescents in Northern Ireland deserve access to age-appropriate, comprehensive, and scientifically accurate education on sexual and reproductive health and rights. We are heartened by the UK Government’s move. With this progressive step, we can begin to see a future where young people are equipped with the knowledge and understanding they need to navigate their lives. 

“We now look forward to working to see the new law and guidance through to implementation.”

This week, NSPCC NI also said that young people in Northern Ireland would now have consistent access to similar information as their counterparts in Britain.

Natalie Whelehan, policy and public affairs manager, said: “Excellent quality relationships and sexuality education is vital to ensuring young people understand healthy relationships, are able to recognise abusive behaviour and know when and how to seek help, so we are greatly heartened to see this progress being made in Northern Ireland."

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Schools pupils to get information about access to abortion and contraception services