Sex Education Investigation Needs to be More ‘Transparent’

Arbory, Castletown and Malew MHK Jason Moorhouse is concerned that the government isn’t being transparent as the investigation continues into the sex education curriculum.

He says a ‘void’ has been created by the Department of Education, Sport and Culture, which he accused of holding back information from the public.

‘Transparency could potentially have prevented this,’ he said.

Launched in September, the new Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) curriculum was put on hold in February for an independent review to take place after concerns were voiced by parents.

The information, given to 11- and 12-year-olds, was too graphic according to reports which appeared in some UK newspapers and which have not been verified.

Mr Moorhouse was asking Education Minister Julie Edge why the full details of the scope and time frame for the investigation into the curriculum have not been published.

She told the House of Keys: ‘The investigators will look at all of the situation and ensure that they gather the appropriate information. We will release a full report in due course.’

Ms Edge added: ‘The department initiated an external, independent investigation using trained investigators that will speak to the key stakeholders where required. Until the facts of that situation have been established through that external, independent investigation that we have initiated, I am unable to comment any further.’

Mr Moorhouse, a former secondary school teacher, said two schools had refused to adopt the curriculum. Ms Edge said she wasn’t aware of this.

‘With regards to the RSC curriculum, it is advisory and therefore no school is required to deliver the exact content provided,’ the minister said. ‘They can tailor it to their school environment. I’m not aware of two schools refusing to deliver it.’