**Call for Immediate Review and Cessation of Junior Cycle SPHE Curriculum** Following revelations from a former SPHE teacher and coordinator, we, the undersigned, demand the immediate cessation of the Junior Cycle SPHE curriculum due to the inclusion of age-inappropriate, graphic sexual content, the normalisation of pornography, and the promotion of unscientific gender ideology. We also call for a full investigation into the year-long SPHE teacher training course at DCU, and a review of all materials used to teach SPHE in schools. ### Our Key Concerns: 1. Exposure of children to extreme and graphic sexual content. 2. Normalisation of pornography among minors, including the concept of "ethical porn." 3. Promotion of sex as purely for pleasure, detached from committed relationships. 4. Overemphasis on LGBTQ+ and transgender issues, including unscientific ideologies and terminology. 5. Inappropriate influence of activist groups and NGOs on curriculum content, teacher training, and teaching materials. 6. Lack of transparency and parental consultation, leaving parents uninformed about their children's education. 7. Use of classroom "contracts" preventing children from discussing lessons with parents. 8. Involvement of third parties in schools to teach material that teachers may find uncomfortable. 9. A cross-curricular approach to SPHE and RSE that detracts from core subjects and restricts parents' ability to opt their children out of uncomfortable lessons. ### We Urge Immediate Action To: 1. Suspend the new Junior Cycle SPHE curriculum pending a review. 2. Halt the DCU SPHE teacher training course until a full investigation is conducted. 3. Prevent activist NGOs from influencing schools, curricula, and teacher training, ensuring a balanced representation of opinions on curriculum committees. 4. Remove the teaching of transgender ideologies and similar concepts lacking a factual basis from schools. 5. Withdraw textbooks, library books, and internet resources that contain explicit sexual material or references to pornography and transgender ideology. ### Points of Reference: 1. **The Cass Report** (UK) – A review by Dr. Hilary Cass, advising against the unquestioned affirmative approach to gender dysphoria promoted by activist NGOs in Irish schools. 2. **UK Government Guidance (May 2024)** – New measures to ensure that RSHE content is factual, age-appropriate, and understandable for children. This includes: - Parents’ right to review educational materials. - Sex education not being taught before Year 5 and only from a scientific perspective. - Exclusion of contested gender identity theories from the curriculum. 3. **Article 42 of the Irish Constitution** – Recognises parents as the primary educators of their children. 4. **Article 42A of the Irish Constitution** – Protects children's natural and imprescriptible rights. 5. **Education Act 1998 (Section 9d)** – Requires schools to promote moral, social, and personal development, in consultation with parents, respecting the school's ethos. 6. **Children First Act 2015** – Highlights examples of sexual abuse, such as exposing children to explicit material, which could constitute psychological ill-treatment. ### In Conclusion: We believe that the responsibility for educating children, especially on sensitive topics, lies primarily with parents and families. Schools should support this role without imposing ideologies or agendas on impressionable students. It is crucial that children are protected from harmful or age-inappropriate content, and that transparency exists between parents and schools. We ask for immediate action to address our concerns and work with parents and teachers to develop a curriculum that respects the rights, values, and beliefs of parents and children, while maintaining a focus on academic excellence and holistic development. **References:** - [Cass Report](https://cass.independent-review.uk/home/publications/final-report/) - [UK Government Press Release](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/age-limits-introduced-to-protect-children-in-rshe) - [Irish Constitution](https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/cons/en/html) - [Education Act 1998](https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1998/act/51/enacted/en/html) - [Children First National Guidelines](https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/114c50-children-first-national-guidelines-for-the-protection-and-welfare-of/)