Northern Irish schools failing to meet human rights standards in sex education

Northern Ireland schools are failing to meet statutory human rights standards in their teaching of relationships and sexuality, the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (NIHRC) has concluded in a new report.

The human rights body carried out an investigation to assess the extent to which post-primary schools across Northern Ireland are providing “age-appropriate, comprehensive and scientifically accurate education on sexual and reproductive health and rights, covering prevention of early pregnancy and access to abortion”.

However, in the majority of schools this is not the case, as the report found that resources used by schools are not always considered to be comprehensive, pluralistic and objective. There were also some examples of schools using resources which were outdated.

We welcome the publication of NIHRC's Investigation report into RSE. Excellent quality RSE is vitally important in teaching children about healthy and unhealthy relationships, how to spot signs of abuse and learning about their right to be safe and healthy https://t.co/m1Puj6QX26

— NSPCC NI (@NSPCCNI) June 12, 2023

According to the damning report, almost two-thirds of post-primary schools in Northern Ireland promote abstinence in their sex education policies.

The report suggested that most schools contributed to "this association of shame with sexual activity, by attributing specific moral values and personal characteristics to those who engaged (or did not engage) in sexual behaviour".

The research identified that “many schools use language that shames and stigmatises young people”, particularly in matters relating to sex and sexuality.

Furthermore, the report found that some schools "even outline their beliefs that “homosexuality” is wrong”.

The report feature an example in which one school stated that "the belief that homosexual acts are against the nature and purpose of human relationships will be presented to pupils".

The report also found that most schools rely at least in part on external providers to provide relationship and sexual education (RSE), who may have specialist knowledge or comfort with certain topics that teachers themselves may not. Previous research has shown that 46 per cent of teachers in the UK do not feel confident teaching RSE.

Our RSE report makes 13 recommendations that we hope will provide practical guidance for schools and public authorities in complying with the CEDAW recommendation.

Read full recommendations in the report: https://t.co/uuGh0uiTmN pic.twitter.com/YN9bEUZL8Y

— NIHRC (@NIHRC) June 12, 2023

NIHRC Chief Commissioner Alyson Kilpatrick welcomed the report, saying that 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".

"RSE 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."

The organisation has supplied a list of 13 recommendations based on their findings, which they hope "will provide practical guidance for schools and public authorities in complying with human rights".

It is hoped by many human rights groups, including the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, that the report will start a long-overdue conversation about sex ed in schools across Northern Ireland.

The a summary of the NIHRC report can be found here.