Chris Heaton-Harris, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, stated today (Tuesday, 6 June) that the UK Government is amending the criteria for Relationship and Sexuality Education (RSE) curricula in Northern Ireland.
The Secretary of State is required by law to carry out recommendation 86(d) of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) Report under the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2019.
Concerning Key Stages 3 and 4, the Education (Northern Ireland) Order of 2006 and the Education (Curriculum Minimum Content) Order of 2007 will be modified by the regulations.
They will make sexual and reproductive health and rights education for teenagers, including information on early pregnancy prevention and access to abortion, an essential part of the curriculum. This education will be age-appropriate, thorough, and scientifically correct.
Additionally, they will require the Department of Education to provide recommendations on the subject matter and mode of instruction for the education that must be provided by 1 January 2024.
Additionally, the Department will be required by law to create regulations describing the conditions under which, at the request of a parent, a student may be exempt from obtaining that education or particular components of that education.
Consultation with Parents on Sexuality and Relationships As education is currently a widespread practice in Northern Ireland, we anticipate the Department of Education will make sure that schools give parents a chance to evaluate relevant documentation.
In practice, the Regulations will lead to educating teenagers on topics like how to avoid getting pregnant, their legal entitlement to abortion in Northern Ireland, and how to obtain appropriate resources.
This should be done in an objective manner that neither supports nor opposes a specific viewpoint regarding the moral and ethical implications of abortion or contraception.
Chris Heaton-Harris, the right honourable secretary of state for Northern Ireland, said:
“It is fundamental for their wellbeing that adolescents in Northern Ireland have access to age-appropriate, comprehensive and scientifically accurate education on sexual and reproductive health and rights that covers access to abortion and contraception.
“Today, I have made Regulations that will amend the Education (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 and the Education (Curriculum Minimum Content) Order (Northern Ireland) 2007 to introduce compliant education, in line with recommendations from the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women.
“I look forward to working with the Department of Education to ensure the delivery and implementation of these measures, which will include meaningful engagement with young people, teachers and parents.”
