The Relationships and Sexuality Education (Northern Ireland) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 gave ministers the power to force all post-primary schools in Northern Ireland – including faith schools – to teach girls that they have a right to abortion.
The changes – which go much further than in England and Wales – were rolled out without a full public consultation. However, a narrow consultation seeking the views of the public on the right of parents to be informed about the content of RSE material, and in what circumstances they can withdraw their children, was launched last year.
A total of 13,461 responses were received with over 25,000 comments, and the results have now been published.
Statement 1 on the consultation said that RSE “should be factual and contain age-appropriate, comprehensive and scientifically accurate education on sexual and reproductive health and rights, covering prevention of early pregnancy and access to abortion and these resources should not advocate, or oppose, a particular view on the moral and ethical considerations of abortion or contraception.”
According to an analysis published by the Department of Education today, the vast majority of respondents opposed this statement. The department said that 23.84% agreed to this, while 73.17% disagreed, and 2.89% neither agreed nor disagreed.
In a breakdown of comments, only 6.46% of respondents said that resources “should only be factual & scientific”, while 43.42% said they “should Include moral & ethical perspectives”.
In addition, over 74% of respondents insisted that parental rights should take precedence on being informed of RSE lesson content.
RSE Regulations “lack all legitimacy”
Liam Gibson, SPUC’s parliamentary officer in Northern Ireland, said: “The fact that almost three-quarters of respondents to the consultation are strongly opposed to teaching children how they can access abortion should have massive implications for the RSE Regulations imposed last June. These Regulations lack all legitimacy, they do not have the support of parents and have caused huge concerns for teachers and boards of governors.
“The Guidance, issued by the Department of Education today, will do nothing to relieve those concerns or reduce the opposition of parents who do not want schools to provide their children with instructions on how to obtain an abortion.
“The Secretary of State should now withdraw his draconian RSE Regulations immediately and take no further unilateral action. The London Government has lost the consent of the people of Northern Ireland when it comes to this issue and needs to change course immediately.”
