The RSE policy guidelines issued in 2018 clearly state that parents are the primary educators of their children.
They recommend that parents discuss the contents of the RSE programme with their child's teacher in advance if they have any queries.
The document states that the school's RSE programme should be in line with the school’s ethos.
Click here to view the RSE programme in primary schools.
The RSE Curriculum at primary level is not due to be changed until 2024.
The changes in the Junior Cycle RSE Curriculum have been implemented from September 2023.
There is currently an ongoing consultation for the Senior Cycle RSE Curriculum. Click here for more details.
Many Catholic parents do not withdraw their children from RSE and choose to supplement what their children learn at school in the home. However parents are entitled to withdraw their children from any ‘sensitive’ parts of the RSE programme in schools and there is no expected change in this.
Schools are actively encouraged to engage with parents in relation to RSE and to encourage communication with home on these matters. Parents should be informed in advance of the teaching of any ‘sensitive’ parts in the RSE programme.
What did Pope Francis say about sex education in schools? Read below the words of Pope Francis (link to the Vatican website here).
I think it is important to teach sex education in schools. Sex is a gift from God. It is not for show; it is a gift from God in order to love. That someone would use it to make money, to exploit others, is a different problem. Objective sex education should be offered, as is, without ideological colonization. Because if sex education steeped in ideological colonization is taught in schools, it destroys the person. Sex as a gift from God must be taught, not with strictness; to educate comes from ‘e-ducere’, to draw the best from the person and accompany him or her along the journey. The problem lies with those responsible for education, both at the national and the local level and in every individual school: the teachers chosen for this task, the books chosen, and so on... I have seen a “mixed bag” in this regard. There are some things that help mature and others that do damage. There needs to be sex education for children. Ideally it begins in the home, with the parents. It is not always possible, for many family situations, or because they do not know how to do it. School makes up for this, and must do so. Otherwise a vacuum remains, which gets filled with any kind of ideology.