Parents will not be able to prevent their children from learning
about religion, relationships and sexuality in the new
Curriculum.
Education Minister made the announcement today
(Tuesday, January 21) emphasising the need for ‘careful and
sensitive implementation’ of the decision.
Education Minister said: “Our responsibility
as a government is to ensure that young people, through public
education, have access to learning that supports them to discuss
and understand their rights and the rights of others.
“It is essential that all young people are provided with access
to information that keeps them safe from harm.
“Today’s decision ensures that all pupils will learn about issues
such as online safety and healthy relationships.”
The announcement was made following an eight-week Welsh
Government consultation on ensuring access to the full
curriculum, including the teaching of Relationship and Sexuality
Education (RSE) and Religious Education (RE).
“I recognise this is a sensitive matter and the consultation
responses reflected a wide range of views.
“There is clearly a need for us to work with communities and all
interested parties in developing the learning and teaching for
RSE and RE - this work will be vital to enable everyone to have
trust in how the change is implemented.”
The Minister outlined plans for implementation which include the
creation of clear guidance, resources and professional learning
for schools and the creation of a Faith/BAME Community
Involvement Group to hold its first meeting this February.
The group will engage in the development of RSE guidance, develop
a shared understanding of the new curriculum and address concerns
raised by faith and community groups during the consultation.
The Minister continued: “It is vital that we continue to work
with communities across Wales to ensure parents have the right to
develop, care for and guide their children into adulthood while
allowing our schools to provide a broad and balanced
education.
“We will build on the community engagement which accompanied the
consultation with a long term investment in listening to our
communities and finding ways to address the issues which concern
them.
The Minister also confirmed plans to establish a new RSE Working
Group that will oversee the refinement of the new RSE statutory
guidance to form part of the new curriculum guidance.
The Minister added: “I want to take the opportunity in 2021 to
test the approach for RSE prior to it being made statutory in the
new curriculum.
“This will provide valuable intelligence to inform the refinement
of our approach and will also enable learners, parents and carers
and communities to see it working in practice and to feedback
their views.”
Further details on this approach will be announced over the
coming weeks.
The consultation also showed support for renaming the subject
‘Religious Education’.
The most popular choice from respondents was ‘Religion, Values
and Ethics’ and, as a result, the Minister confirmed the subject
name would change when the new curriculum comes into effect.
