RSE Curriculum: Northern Ireland Schools

Debate between Robert Largan and Robin Millar

Tuesday 12th September 2023 Commons Chamber

[Robert Largan]

On the point of teacher opt-outs, it is important to stress that this will be a matter for the Department of Education in Northern Ireland, as it has overall responsibility for education in Northern Ireland. It will be part of its consultation, which I will be coming to in a moment, and the guidance that is published next year. On teacher opt-outs, it is also worth pointing out that a large majority of the schools in Northern Ireland outsource their relationship and sexuality education to third-party providers.

[Robin Millar (Aberconwy) (Con)]

Thank you for indulging me on this, Mr Deputy Speaker. The Minister said that the “Government recognise the sensitivity” of this matter and he then used the words “some parents may wish to”. How does he reconcile that with the fact that scrutiny in the other place said that there had been insufficient consultation with parents? Does he not think that some stronger legislation may have been brought forward, if that was deemed appropriate, following proper consultation with parents?

[Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Nigel Evans)]

By the way, you should first have apologised for not being present throughout the entire debate.