To ask the Minister of Education, pursuant to AQW 28732/17-22, what plans she has to (i) develop; and (ii) encourage a unified Relationships and Sexuality Education policy for all schools in order that every child has equal access to high quality information and guidance in this area of learning.

Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) is a mandatory element of the curriculum in both primary and post-primary schools. The statutory curriculum for Personal Development and Mutual Understanding (PDMU) at primary level and the Personal Development strand of Learning for Life and Work at post primary level includes prescribed content at each Key Stage in the area of RSE.

My Department has provided significant investment to support the development of new resources, which are available on the CCEA RSE Hub. The Hub ensures that schools have access to a range of high quality, up-to-date, relevant resources and sources of support on a range of sensitive issues. This can be reflected in each school’s RSE policy which should be agreed with Governors, parents and pupils.

My officials are also working with our educational partners to develop guidelines for schools highlighting the resources that are available and setting out the importance of embedding their use as a key part of the teaching of RSE. This will support teachers to feel confident in their teaching of these important issues.