Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:
“TUV have today published our response to the Department of Education RSE consultation. This is an issue about which many parents are deeply concerned and rightly so.
“It is important to note that the changes to the post-primary RSE curriculum are interference in a devolved matter on foot of Section 9 of the NI (Executive Formation etc) Act 2019. The NIO repeatedly claim that they cannot act on a plethora of matters because the powers are devolved and yet here, as was the case with other changes flowing from the 2019 Act relating to abortion and the redefinition of marriage, Westminster is not only prepared to act but seems positively keen to push the matter given the comparatively short window between this consultation and the promised enactment of changes. It is our position that no party should have agreed to form an executive on the basis of legislation which resulted in this imposition. The short lived executive formed off the back of the 2019 Act will be soon forgotten. The other changes it brought in – including the changes to Key Stage 3 and 4 RSE – will have much more profound and negative consequences.
“Importantly, nowhere in the consultation can teachers express their opposition to teaching about access to abortion and contraception as a “right”. Why are the rights of teachers being ignored? Is it the intention to coerce teachers to teach that which conflicts with their conscience or religious convictions?
“Given the extremely small window between the closure of the consultation on 24th November and the promised publication of guidance by 1st January next year one suspects that this is a box ticking exercise by the Department rather than a genuine consultation. That impression is reinforced by the opening question in the consultation which asks if the content of RSE “should be factual and contain age-appropriate, comprehensive and scientifically accurate education on sexual and reproductive health and rights, covering prevention of early pregnancy and access to abortion and these resources should not advocate, or oppose, a particular view on the moral and ethical considerations of abortion or contraception.” The reality is that the legislation has already decided that it should be taught in such terms.
“It is unclear as to what “scientifically accurate information” actually is. Will this include information on what an abortion actually entails? If not, why not? Who decides on what constitutes what is “age appropriate”?
“Tellingly, while the Department cites the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child it ignores Article 6 (1) which recognises “that every child has the inherent right to life” – something which is trampled upon when it comes to abortion.
“TUV believes that parents and carers should not only be given an overview of how RSE is taught in schools – as suggested in the consultation – but a right to view the policy and classroom resources in detail if they so wish. Openness and transparency are of critical importance here. This right must equally be extended to all subject material in classes where the matters in question are taught outside of the specified RSE classes.
“You can read the full TUV response to the consultation here.
“You can respond to the consultation yourself here”.