SSUNI Calls for Responsibility When Discussing RSE Changes
The Secondary Student’s Union of Northern Ireland (SSUNI) is calling for greater responsibility when discussing proposed changes to the Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) curriculum in the wake of a series of campaigns which the Union believes misrepresent the realities of the change and serve to only inflame tensions unnecessarily.
The claims are “harmful” and “a distractor from real issues” and we point to research by FactCheckNI which disproves assertions that content included is inappropriate for school-age children. This comes in respsonse to organisations like ‘Truth Behind RSE NI’ and campaigns such as ‘Let Kids Be Kids’, which held an event at the Seagoe Hotel on Monday 11th September.
The Union is disappointed at the tone of the event, which focused heavily on how RSE changes will supposedly expose children to inappropriate content. This ‘fear-mongering’ ignores the voices of young people and those who work with them, who have been calling for RSE reform for years, according to President Ellen Taylor who said: “The changes to RSE have been misconstrued by many. What’s introduced will be age-appropriate, scientifically accurate and unbiased. I would encourage people to read closely into the guidance before making or listening to inaccurate claims.”
The Union believes that a new and up to date RSE curriculum will be what protects students – including on issues schools currently often neglect such as consent and sexual health, a necessity following the results of the Union’s Report into Sexism and Sexual Harassment in Schools, which found many students felt ill-informed in those areas.
Education Officer Gráinne Hollywood highlighted the role of RSE in ensuring student’s safety, “RSE is fundamental to ensuring they can make their own informed decisions to ensure their own safety and well-being. This is particularly important for students who need to be protected from homophobic rhetoric.”
Student Voice Officer Meabh Quinn, a member of the Union’s RSE working group, warned against the alternatives if the RSE curriculum is not modernised; “If children are not taught RSE within a safe and educational environment, they will learn from uncontrolled websites online. Students should receive objective, inclusive and age appropriate RSE regardless of which school they attend.”
Oliver Mercer, Community Relations Officer, and a member of the Union’s RSE working group, added, “The government is currently operating a consultation [on changes to the RSE curriculum] and we encourage all people, particularly young people, to get involved and share their experiences. It’s also a fantastic opportunity for parents to have input into their child’s education.”