Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) is taught as part of religion for most fifth- and sixth-year students. In some instances, if a student opts out of religion, they will not receive instruction in RSE.
Schools are required to have a policy for RSE that has been developed in consultation with teachers, parents and guardians, members of the board of management and students. School inspectors found 44 per cent of schools have not done so.
In 62 per cent of schools, there were “evident weaknesses” in the quality of planning for RSE, according to the DES.
Schools are required to teach RSE at senior cycle (Transition Year, fifth year and sixth year). “Evident weaknesses” were found at senior cycle in 30 per cent of the schools visited.
In almost half of schools visited by inspectors, procedures for supporting the planning of senior-cycle RSE were not as effective as planning for social, personal and health education. One in three schools had no recognised co-ordinator for
senior-cycle RSE.
Most schools have little or no co-ordination between teachers for junior-cycle RSE and teachers for senior-cycle RSE.
