Sex and the syllabus

Given the continuing influence of Catholic organisations in our schools, plans for an objective sex education are unlikely to succeed

‘We’re being told [sex education at second level] is mandatory, but often it’s not taught at all’

The human body is sacred and sexuality is a gift from God. Marriage is the natural context in which sexual love should be expressed because it is orientated both to the loving unity of a couple and to co-operation with God in bringing new human life into the world.

This is what students of one Irish secondary school were taught, according to the relationship and sex education policy published on its website from ...