Body in charge of curriculum hits back at claims it is introducing 'divisive ideologies' in primary schools

Senator Eileen Flynn asked the NCCA what could be done to counter misinformation currently being spread about sex education.

The national body in charge of developing the curriculum has defended the level of consultation it had with parents following claims it is introducing “divisive ideologies” to primary schools.

The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) appeared before the Oireachtas education committee on Tuesday to discuss the primary school curriculum. It is currently under review and redevelopment and went through public consultation in 2020 and 2022.

Senator Rónán Mullen told the committee he received correspondence from a group of parents about changes to the curriculum, in particular to Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE).

“They're not happy that parents are being fully, and in an upfront way, consulted with, heard and heeded,” he said 

According to this group, not many parents know the primary school curriculum is being revised, as only a “very small sample” of parents attend online and in-person focus groups, Mr Mullen said.

“They also point to the fact that there is no toolkit available for the wellbeing part of the curriculum. This is essential to inform parents and to allow them make decisions about whether they're happy with the way SPHE is being taught.” 

Mr Mullen also asked the NCCA about its definition of "sexual identity" and whether or not it relates to sexual orientation.

“I say all of this because there are a number of divisive ideologies impacting education today: critical theory, critical race theory, including gender theory, queer theory, and it's not clear to me how a State school can seek to protect children from such ideologies based on the principles outlined in the draft curriculum.” 

In response, NCCA deputy chief executive Dr Patrick O’Sullivan said large efforts were made to raise awareness of the consultation process.

“That's borne out in the number of respondents we had to the consultation — over 3,500 respondents in relation to the consultation, many of whom are parents.” 

A number of parents also raised concerns at a focus group run with the National Parents Council, he added.

“I met with them after the meeting, and then I met with them in a follow-up meeting as well." 

The NCCA has also run information newsletters, sent emails to schools and made direct attempts to highlight the changes through local and national media. The primary curriculum framework is policy now, he added. 

"There's a process put in place to get to this point. It's been through a huge amount of research, huge amounts of consultation, it's been consulted on twice."

However, the NCCA has also analysed feedback it has received on the draft SPHE specification, which will be reported on in the coming weeks, he added. 

"We outline very clearly the next steps and the actions that we've been taking to address some of the concerns and some of the points have been taken up so far in the process as well." 

Senator Eileen Flynn asked the NCCA what could be done to counter misinformation currently being spread about sex education. 

"We need a campaign to stop scaring people, all that misinformation that's out there when it comes to sex education in our schools and in our creches etc, because I want my children to know, like many other mothers want their kids to know, what's appropriate touch, what's inappropriate touch and around consent for young adults as well in school."