Relationships and sexuality education in Northern Ireland's schools in does not meet human rights standards to which government is bound.
That's according to a newly published report today by the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission.
It comes just days after the UK Government introduced legislation to ensure that school pupils in Northern Ireland receive age-appropriate information about access to contraception and abortion services.
Read more: NI school pupils to get information about access to abortion and contraception
Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris said last week that he was updating the requirements for relationship and sexuality education (RSE) in the curriculum.
The new regulations will make “age-appropriate, comprehensive and scientifically accurate education on sexual and reproductive health and rights, covering prevention of early pregnancy and access to abortion” a compulsory component of the curriculum for students.
They will also place a duty on Stormont's Department of Education to issue guidance on the content and delivery of the education to be provided by the start of next year.
The department will also be under a statutory duty to make regulations about the circumstances in which at the request of a parent, a pupil may be excused from receiving that education, or specified elements of that education.
The NI Human Rights Commission carried out an investigation to assess the extent to which post-primary schools here are providing “age-appropriate, comprehensive and scientifically accurate education on sexual and reproductive health and rights.
This included covering prevention of early pregnancy and access to abortion”, as recommended by the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) 2018 Report, and incorporated into UK law.
During the investigation independent expert analysis of evidence provided by schools, external providers, and public authorities found that there are some positive examples of post-primary schools providing comprehensive and scientifically accurate relationships and sexuality education (RSE).
However, in the majority of schools this is not the case, where resources are not always considered to be comprehensive, pluralistic and objective. There were also some examples of schools using resources which were outdated.
The report found that most schools rely at least in part on external providers to provide RSE, who may have specialist knowledge or comfort with certain topics that teachers themselves may not.
Previous research has indicated that 46% of teachers in the UK do not feel confident teaching RSE.
Alyson Kilpatrick, Chief Commissioner of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, said: “Comprehensive and accurate RSE is essential to the fulfilment of a range of human rights including the right to education, the right to health and even the right to life.
“It also has an important role to play in preventing abuse and violence against women and girls and promoting gender equality.
“The Commission carried out an investigation to determine whether or not children’s rights are being realised in this regard, and unfortunately the findings make it clear that there is still a long way to go.
“We hope that the report will start necessary conversations around the reform of RSE, and that the recommendations will provide practical guidance for schools and public authorities in complying with the CEDAW recommendation. ”
The report recommends amending the law to make age-appropriate, comprehensive and scientifically accurate education on sexual and reproductive health and rights, covering prevention of early pregnancy and access to abortion, a compulsory component of the curriculum for young people, and monitor its implementation, in line with the CEDAW recommendation.
Announcing the new regulations to implement the recommendation last week, Mr Heaton-Harris 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.”
Ms Kilpatrick added: “Whilst this is an important step for children’s rights, the implementation and monitoring will be critical. There is a clear need for schools to be supported to develop their capacity to deliver relationships and sexuality education.
“We stand ready to support the implementation of the CEDAW recommendation which should take a human rights-based approach. ”
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