SPHE whistleblower

[TheLurkingOne]

Is there already a thread about this? I didn't see one.
This teacher is speaking about a training session she attended re the delivery of the SPHE content in irish secondary schools. It seems the topic includes teaching children about porn, fisting, rimming.....

I'm all for classes for teens approaching the topic of porn, what it is, what it's implications are and the exploitation that comes with it, what constitutes a healthy relationship, sex, consent etc etc but this just seems unnecessary and graphic.

The later part of the video refers to the indoctrination of children, how politics and education are linked.

I'm interested in other people's views here. I almost don't know what to think. I'm very uncomfortable with the idea of my young teen children being taught these things, but is it me who is being unreasonable? Is this stuff they need to know?

Not sure how to do clicky link; maybe this copy and paste will work.

But all children deserve to hear all of the info to remove ignorance at the very least.
Children deserve to be taught facts not ideology.
Belief in gender identity is no different than believing in a religion. It is essentially believing in a gendered soul. This is not a fact. You absolutely can never change sex. You can dress and act whatever way you want but you will never become the opposite sex. You can try but at great cost to your health and wallet.

Teaching things that a blatantly untrue is not removing ignorance. The likes of TENI and BLongTo have been very successful in their campaigns to push this new religion as fact. Going along with it has real world consequences.

So many Irish in their hurry to show that we are now a progressive society instead of the conservative backwater we once were are jumping on to support this without understanding exactly what they are supporting.

The funny thing about this topic is that the more people research it for themselves the more people reject it.

You are entitled to your opinion. I trust the national and international national experts 🤷‍♀️

See photo attached. I think some of the language may actually be considered transphobic these days, no nb mentioned at all. I'm sure that will be in the next curriculum. It's all about the boys as per usual. Clothes clearly maketh the girl.

It was clear in my gallery!!

" no nb mentioned at all."
x.com/AontuHelen/status/1841791091617452263?t=-SDNCNkJvAwmf5W6vYYWbg&s=19

https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2024/10/02/sex-education-cannot-be-taught-on-a-one-size-fits-all-basis/

Good article.

I completely agree with this post. I have listened to the video several times now and I think, while there is some over the top language used, such as evil and satanic, I don't think there isn't anything untrutful being said either.
I, too, don't like to see what she is saying dismissed simply because the source is from a Conservative Christian background.

Fake news. Can people please please look at the NCCA website to get factual information. All you are doing is feeding the beast.

Nobody is disputing what is on the NCAA website. That is not what the video is about.

I was talking about a particular book that is CURRENTLY being used. Not the PROPOSED curriculum.

It looks like the PROPOSED curriculum will be expanding further into gender ideology.

It would be interesting to see a book from 5yrs ago to see how much this subject has changed.

I should have been clearer in my reply. That tweet I linked is about a book for 1st year English which seems to be currently in use. NB features in it on the pages shown. I would hope that future books will take the Cass Report into account.

First of all this isn't about the primary school curriculum, it is about Junior Cycle SPHE.
Secondly, you are correct that the subject provides a space for discussion in an age appropriate context...the contention is that some of the content listed is not appropriate for the majority of 12 year old children who are in 1st year in secondary school. Some people seem to disagree with this and are asserting that it IS appropriate to discuss oral and anal sex in a classroom of 12 year olds...I believe this is a parental decision...as primary educators of our children, parents are the ones best placed to decide what is appropriate for their own child so the person spouting that the state has a 'duty' to educate children on this content is incorrect in this assertion!

Can we remember in this discussion that comprehensive sex education is a protecting factor and keeps children safe.

I don't think anyone would disagree with you on that.

Just to reiterate....this video is not false...in fact Minister Norma Foley has just confirmed on Newstalk that this content is part of the DCU course but unsurprisingly has asserted that it was not aimed at students. So please stop saying that people are lying.

The conversation which is happening is in reference to Junior Cycle SPHE, not Primary or Senior Cycle which are two completely different issues.

You assert that the contributors daughter is in an unusual position of her and her peers not having a phone...this completely depends on where they live, what school they attend and their family background...none of my children had a phone before 12 and in my sons 6th class, there are only 2 students who currently have phones..he goes to a small rural school and this is not unusual as there is not a culture of children getting phones at a young age in his school.

My son knows about sex and puberty and we have had very open conversations about sexuality and gender identity ideology. I have no doubt that inappropriate content has probably popped up on the likes of you tube when he has been watching it and I have spoken to him about this, but I know my son is not actively look for pornographic content...I know my son and I know what is appropriate for him at 12 years of age...he will be getting a phone in the next 6 months and I be monitoring it closely until I feel he is old enough to manage it himself.
I will however object to him being taught about masturbation, oral and anal sex in a class full of other 12/13 year olds many of whom are not in any way mature enough to discuss this topic in a 'critical' manner. I will assert my right as a parent to do this and encourage others to do the same if the feel it is inappropriate.

What you describe is the scenario that many teachers in our schools find themselves in...returning to school in September with SPHE, which they have no experience or training in, on there timetable. This is the reality of our schools...unfortunately SPHE is often that last subject put in on the timetable and used as a 'filler' for teachers whose timetables have gaps that need to be filled.
As you have described, the terminology in the specification is wide open to different interpretations. While the unions have advised to stick to the department resources, I would argue that some of these are very questionable...in particular resources from TENI, BeLongTo, Amaze.org and Kate Dawson in NUIG, among others. Needless to say, some of the book publishers have completely gone off on their own tangent.
I agreednthat teachers have been put in a very difficult position here and find ourselves walking a tight rope between our gut instinct on this and supposedly 'doing our job'😰

Jenny Keane is a 'sex educator'. Her information is hardly unbiased! She stands to gain a lot of business of teachers refuse to teach RSE and external companies like hers are brought in to deliver the specification!🤔

Like Jenny Keane??

So according to Norma "an adult course for adults". Where the adults were sat around modelling willies out of clay. Mmm

The video is purporting that some and I emphasis some content considered for the Senior cycle. Those who are at sexual consent age or just before.

It is absolutely not primary school material which is what is doing the bloody rounds on loads of school what's app in Dublin this week.

It is so obvious why it is needed. You are stating your puberty age child doesn't need to know about masturbation.

You do know that puberty which likely happens around 12 usually is linked with exploration i E masturbation. So you as a parent believe leaving them ignorant and susceptible to the nonsense they will pick up is better?

Exactly what do you think will happen about teaching a child about language and what is developmentally appropriate. It's clear why they need the education system to kick in and not let another generation of children feel shame, believe pure crap because their parents felt uncomfortable talking about the facts or life. And yes that includes masturbation and anal sex. What if your 12 year old is gay? Why shouldn't he know heterosexual norm and homosexual norms ?

I never said I wouldn't speak to my son about masturbation when I, as his parent think it is appropriate to do so. I will not consent to a relatively strange adult having this conversation with him at 12 years of age in a class full of other immature 12/13 year olds.
If he was gay, then anal sex would not be the 1st thing I would talk about...I don't expect him to be sexually active, gay or otherwise at 12 years of age...there are so many other relationship aspects which I would discuss with him which are relevant regardless of his sexuality.
Again, as his parent, his primary educator, I will decide what I think is age appropriate and in the best interests of my child!

That's fine but don't expect him to get the wrong end of the stick when his peers are properly informed of the full spectrum of puberty.

Why are you linking information with activity. I assume your 12 year old will know about conception to birth, we aren't expecting them to engage in sex!

This is the problem, parents equation of knowledge with actions. Teaching all sexualities and their aspects at puberty is the only way young gay children gain equality.

Nobody will be saying don't tell them about conception until age of consent so why is there a differential? Because that to me shows you bias, prejudice and othering.

I agree, if 11/12 year old kids have ALL of the information, how long will it be before they are deemed to know enough to consent?

I don't understand why some people are obsessed with needing other people's children to be taught everything about sex. The basics are enough for schools, if they want to have independent discussions re masterbating with their own children, no one is stopping them.

Why do you link someone who does not believe in changing sex to someone of ultra religious background?