Junior Cycle sex education curriculum to include consent in first revamp for 20 years

The second-level subject includes RSE as one of four strands of the proposed curriculum, along with "understanding myself and others; making healthy choices; and emotional wellbeing". Public consultation will run for the next three months and is open to anyone to make a submission.

Junior Cycle students should be able to identify unhealthy relationships, appreciate the importance of consent and explain the importance of “safer sexual activity” under the proposed revamp of sex education.

Gender stereotyping, well-being, relationships, online pornography, and the sharing of sexual images as well as the importance of giving and receiving consent in a sexual relationship are all topics included as part of the proposed updates published on Monday.