ISSU Strongly Welcomes Minister Foley’s Announcement on Potential Legislative Change to Ensure Adequate RSE.
Today, Minister Foley announced that the Government would be prepared to implement legislative changes in order to achieve adequate, relevant and age-appropriate sexual education throughout Irish schools.
The Irish Second-Level Students’ Union (ISSU) strongly supports this announcement and urges the Minister to collaborate and consult with the ISSU and other relevant stakeholders moving forward. It is vital that the student voice is heard in this process in order to ensure a relevant, comprehensive and practical Relationships & Sexuality Education (RSE) curriculum is delivered.
The ISSU has fought for RSE reform since its founding in 2008. Recently, a study conducted by the union found that more than 35% of 5th and 6th year students received no RSE so far during their time in senior cycle and an additional 25% of students who were provided with RSE received it at a “minimal level”.
ISSU Welfare Officer Matthew Ryan, himself a 6th year student in St. Francis College, Rochestown said “The RSE curriculum is one that has been in dire need of reforming for many years. The ISSU welcomes wholeheartedly the comments made by Minister Foley regarding the potential legislative changes that could be brought forward to ensure that every student in this country receives the RSE they not only need, but deserve. RSE is vital in protecting our students’ welfare and well-being both now and in later life. The ISSU will continue to fight for this and we hope Minister Foley will engage with us in this process”
Transition Year Gaelcholáiste Luimnigh student and ISSU Equality Officer, Saoirse Exton, commented “RSE should be one of the most integral parts of any health-related curriculum, and yet the subject matter is outdated and impractical to today’s second-level students. The ISSU welcomes this announcement and urges the Minister to collaborate with relevant stakeholders, including the union itself, in order to achieve a well-rounded, relevant and comprehensive guide to sexual health.”
