Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission recommends reform of Relationships and Sexuality Education

The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission has today published a report that finds that Relationships and Sexuality Education in schools in Northern Ireland does not meet human rights standards to which government is bound.

The Commission carried out an investigation to assess the extent to which post-primary schools in NI 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”, 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 There were also some examples of schools using resources which were outdated.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. On 6 June, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Chris Heaton-Harris announced new Regulations to implement the recommendation.

“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.” Ms Kilpatrick added.

ENDS

Notes to the Editors

Please contact Lisa Wilson at media@nihrc.org or phone 07795664963

Read full report: www.nihrc.org/publication/detail/nihrc-report-relationships-and-sexuality-education-in-post-primary-schools-in-northern-ireland-a-compelling-case-for-reform

About the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission

The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission is a non-departmental public body established following the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement and pursuant to the Northern Ireland Act 1998. The NIHRC is a National Human Rights Institution with ‘A-Status’ accreditation from the United Nations. This recognition means that the organisation operates independently in full accordance with the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 48/134 (the Paris Principles).

The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission has a statutory duty to review the adequacy and effectiveness of law and practice relating to the protection of human rights in Northern Ireland. Section 69 of the NI Act empowers the NIHRC to conduct investigations and to compel evidence as it considers necessary or expedient.

For more info see: www.nihrc.org

About the investigation

• The UN Committee on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) published a recommendation in 2018 which has been uniquely incorporated into UK law. This placed a specific obligation on the Secretary of State for NI to implement the CEDAW Committee’s recommendation. The Commission was therefore responding to a decision of Parliament and an obligation on the UK Government.

• The CEDAW recommendation is to “make age-appropriate, comprehensive and scientifically accurate education on sexual and reproductive health and rights a compulsory component of curriculum for young people, covering prevention of early pregnancy and access to abortion, and monitor its implementation.”
• In line with the NI Act, the Commission prepared a terms of reference setting out the scope of the investigation, which is available on the Commission’s website. The investigation has focused specifically on the CEDAW Committee recommendation.
• Utilising its powers of investigation, the Commission issued notice letters to the NIO and relevant NI Departments, public authorities and other third sector providers that are responsible for the development and delivery of RSE in post-primary schools. The Commission also wrote to all post-primary schools in Northern Ireland and requested that they provide a response to a questionnaire.
• The Commission reviewed relevant regional and international human rights standards. It also reviewed the current legal and policy framework to determine whether it complies with the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2019.
• In total, 149 schools responded to the questionnaire and 124 provided copies of their RSE policies (out of 192 post-primary schools).
• 42 schools provided copies of relevant materials such as RSE curriculum outlines, PowerPoint lessons, teaching notes and links to relevant organisations. This accounted for a total of 210 additional educational resources.
• The Commission has sought throughout the report to be open to meet with groups from a variety of perspectives.

What were the main findings of the investigation?

• The investigation found that relationships and sexual education in post-primary schools does not meet human rights standards to which government is bound, specifically recommendations made by the UN Committee on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women.
• The investigation found that the majority of post-primary schools in Northern Ireland are not providing age-appropriate, comprehensive and scientifically accurate education on sexual and reproductive health and rights, covering prevention of early pregnancy and access to abortion.
• There is a clear need for schools to develop their capacity to deliver relationships and sexual education. The majority of schools rely at least in part on external providers indicating a lack of capacity and confidence within the teaching profession to deliver RSE.

What are the recommendations from the investigation?

• The report makes 13 recommendations that include:
  • Amending the Minimum Content Order to reflect the UN CEDAW Committee recommendation to “make age-appropriate, comprehensive and scientifically accurate education on sexual and reproductive health and rights a compulsory component of curriculum for young people, covering prevention of early pregnancy and access to abortion, and monitor its implementation.”
  • The Department of Education should support schools to amend their policies and procedures relating to RSE to ensure they fully take into account any reforms to the Minimum Content Order.
  • The Education and Training Inspectorate should amend their oversight arrangements to ensure that schools are appropriately delivering the new elements of the Minimum Content Order.
• We make recommendations aimed at enhancing the capacity and confidence of the teaching profession to ensure that they are able to competently deliver the statutory curriculum. In addition, we recommend that the teachers are educated on critically assessing materials provided by external providers.

What impact does the Secretary of State’s announcement on RSE Regulations have on the Commission's report?

• The Commission welcomes the announcement made by the Secretary of State 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 curriculum for adolescents.

• Whilst this is an important step for children’s rights, the implementation and monitoring will be critical. Relationships and Sexuality Education covers important human rights issues, and therefore a human rights-based approach is of particular importance.