RSE in the context of SPHE: An assessment of the challenges to full implementation of the programme in post-primary schools: summary report

摘要

The purpose of this executive summary is to provide an overview of a national study entitled,udRelationships and Sexuality Education in the Context of Social Personal and HealthudEducation: An Assessment of the Challenges to Full Implementation of the Programme inudPost–primary Schools, carried out between November 2004 and January 2006. The studyudexamined the implementation of Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) in Irish postprimaryudschools. This research is the most comprehensive study of Relationships and SexualityudEducation conducted in Ireland to date. This study sought to capture the factors that haveudhelped and hindered the implementation of RSE since the programme was first introduced toudpost-primary schools in 1995.udThe findings of this study are vital to informing future educational policy with regard toudthe teaching and resourcing of RSE in second-level schools. The research examines RSEudimplementation levels, identifies facilitators of and barriers to RSE implementation and delivery,udand also describes participants’ views on the impact of societal change on the RSE curriculumudsince the programme was formally introduced in 1995. It provides an important voice, not onlyudfor education and health and community professionals, but also for principals, teachers and,udnotably, parents and students in school communities.udThis executive summary is presented in seven sections. The document is organisedudthematically, due to the sheer volume of data considered in the main report (Mayock, Kitchingudand Morgan 2007).