Presentation on the work of the Dáil na nÓg Council 2009

2 Dáil na nÓg is the annual national youth parliament for young people aged 12 to 18 years old. It is funded and overseen by the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. The National Youth Council of Ireland is contracted to work with the OMCYA in organising Dáil na nÓg. 200 delegates are elected to Dáil na nÓg through their local Comhairle na nÓg. What is Dáil na nÓg?

3 Each of the 34 Comhairle na nÓg elects one delegate to become a member of the Dáil na nÓg Council. The Council meets once a month and works in two groups on the themes selected and voted on at Dail na nOg. What is the Dáil na nÓg Council?

4 The role of the Council is to follow-up on recommendations from Dáil na nÓg and work to make changes for young people in those areas. The Council represents the young people who took part in Dáil na nÓg and the young people in their Comhairle na nÓg. Members of the Council do research on the top issues voted at Dáil na nÓg. Councillors prepare arguments and presentations for adult policy makers. Role of Dáil na nÓg Councillors

5 Themes discussed at Dáil na nÓg 2009 Physical Health Mental Health

6 Physical Health: Cervical cancer vaccine to be made available free of charge for all year olds. All young people should have access to sex education, which is appropriate to individual needs, comprehensive and varied in delivery. Mental Health: The Government needs to implement a structured Social Personal and Health Education (SPHE) course for Senior Cycle students incorporating positive mental health awareness. Some of our work in the Council was in separate groups and some together, because of the strong links between SPHE and Relationship and Sexuality Education (RSE). Top recommendations from Dáil na nÓg 2009 and priorities of the Council

7 During the last year we researched cervical cancer. We met Dr Shirley McQuade from the Wellwoman Centre. We learned that it is the 2 nd most common cause of death from cancer in young women in the EU. We learned that on average, 6 women die of cervical cancer each month in Ireland. We discovered the importance of the cervical vaccine and of the cervical cancer vaccine screening programme. Our work on cervical cancer

8 Cervical cancer We met Dr. Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer. He spoke about cervical screening, safe sexual behaviour and the vaccine. He was shocked by the findings of our school surveys and that the HBSC survey in Ireland excludes questions about the sexual behaviour of teenagers. We met Sanofi Pasteur and Glaxo Smith Kline, the companies that manufacture the cervical cancer vaccine. We asked them to provide the vaccine to the Government as cheaply as possible because of the recession. We REALLY welcome the decision to start the vaccine programme, announced by Minister Harney in January, who met us the day after the announcement.

9 We met with the following important decision-makers and stakeholders: The SPHE support service for teacher training in SPHE The NCCA Education Officer for SPHE Students from a Cork school where SPHE is being implemented The researcher from NUIG who evaluates SPHE The National Co-ordinator for RSE A Principal Officer for Curriculum Development in the Department of Education and Science Minister for Health and Children, Mary Harney TD Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Barry Andrews, TD Our work on SPHE and RSE

10 All schools must deliver SPHE from Primary to 3 rd year The evaluations show that most schools are doing this but there are still some issues that must be addressed: ‘SPHE is working where there is good teacher training and a lot of support from school principals and from the Department of Education and Science. SPHE is different to other subjects for many reasons’. Many teachers still find it difficult to deal with more sensitive issues in class, especially those related to RSE. What we learned about SPHE …..

11 What we learned Why we need SPHE Senior Cycle The evidence that we need SPHE Senior Cycle is clear when you look at the many difficult issues that young people are facing. Young people themselves and lots of reports say that SPHE can help to give young people the information and skills necessary to deal with important challenges.

12 What we learned about RSE ….. RSE is part of SPHE up to 3 rd year Schools are obliged to continue teaching RSE up to the end of 6 th year All schools should have an RSE policy The HBSC survey in Ireland does not include questions about sexual behaviour of teenagers.

13 Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) in the Context of Social, Personal and Health Education (2007) - Results from the Teachers and Principals Survey showed the following: Only 60% of schools surveyed have an RSE policy 30% of schools reported not teaching RSE lessons in 3rd year, 43% in 5 th year and 48% in Leaving Certificate year. We were surpised that NO young people were surveyed in this study! What we learned.. Study on RSE Implementation Factors preventing full implementation of RSE % of schools agreeing overcrowded curriculum82% discomfort of some teachers in teaching RSE71% pressure of examination subjects67%

14 What we learned.. SPHE Senior cycle – the story so far …… For over 3 years the NCCA worked on developing a curriculum for Senior Cycle SPHE. The proposal is that it will be implemented on a phased basis. We reviewed the curriculum and think it is excellent and we met students from a Cork School where it is being delivered because it is a priority for that school – this proved that it can be done if the school and management want to do it. Despite all this the Department of Education and Science do not feel that SPHE is a priority.

15 What we did (1) We did surveys in our schools during May and early June on the implementation of RSE. The results were startling, indicating a very low level of effective RSE education.

16 We sent letters to a wide variety of organisations looking for their support for our work in getting SPHE Senior Cycle implemented – over 40 letters have been received from organisations such as: BarnardosAmnesty International AwareISPCC Crisis Pregnancy AgencyTeachers Unions Mental Health Ireland Grow Head StrongYouth Reach Ireland Many Comhairle na nÓgs –some Mayor’s & Co. Co/s SamaritansIrish Secondary Students Union HEADrink Aware Heart Foundation Cancer Society Well WomanIrish Family Planning Association BeLonG ToPsychiatrists Association What we did (2)

17 At our meetings with the CMO and Minister Harney, we got agreement that sexual behaviour questions will be included in next HBSC Study in Ireland What we did (3)

18 We wanted to highlight the difference between the findings of the CPA/DES Study on RSE implementation (2007) and our own school survey We decided to do a more extensive and detailed survey with young people. We worked with a researcher to develop a survey for young people on SPHE and RSE in schools. We trained as social researchers. We conducted surveys in our Comhairles. What we did 4

A Survey on the Implementation of SPHE and RSE in Secondary Schools in Ireland Dáil na nÓg Council January 2009

20 Demographics A total of 354 young people took part in the study: 134- SPHE survey; 220- RSE survey. SPHE survey: 68 schools in 12 counties RSE survey: 94 schools in 13 counties SPHE survey- Gender: 53% male; 47% female RSE survey- Gender: 42% male; 58% female SPHE- Age: years, 15 (38%), 14 (25%),13 (22%), 16 (10%), 12 (5%) RSE- Age: years, 16 (39%), 17 (29%), 15 (23%), 18 (9%)

21 SPHE Survey Results 86% had SPHE classes in % have SPHE classes once a week 92%- SPHE 1 class in length on average 91% SPHE is timetabled as a class SPHE Policy: Yes = 37%; No = 8%; Don’t know/unanswered = 55% 13% involved in development of SPHE policy in their school

22 SPHE Survey Results SPHE helped develop personal and social skills: Yes = 38%; No = 30% ; Unsure = 32% SPHE helped develop self-respect and self-confidence: Yes = 46%; No = 30% ; Unsure = 24% SPHE helped make good decisions: Yes = 56%; No = 24% ; Unsure = 20% SPHE chance to think/talk about interesting subjects: Yes = 52%; No = 27%; Unsure = 21%

23 RSE Survey Results 25% had RSE classes in 2009, 75% did not have any classes. 50.5%- never had RSE classes in their school. RSE on average once a week. 72%- RSE is not timetabled as a class. 32% RSE part of Religion, 21% SPHE, 6% Science/Biology, 1% Home Ec., 1% Social Ed., 1% Health Ed., 1% Life Skills.

24 RSE Survey Results 45% had guest speakers in RSE Main issues discussed- contraception/ Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), crisis pregnancy and abstinence Guest speakers- medical, crisis pregnancy agencies and religious groups 24%- very useful, 44% useful, 19% not very useful, 13% not at all useful.

25 RSE Survey Results “God's input into sex. It was quite bad, they ridiculed homosexuality.” “A religious cult, they said not to have sex before marriage.” “Catholic youth workers who provided us with untrue facts and gave misguided information. It was solely "the teaching of the Catholic Church" and totally bias.”

26 RSE Survey Results Importance of learning RSE in school: 45% very important; 22% important; 4% not very important; 3% not at all important; 26% unanswered. ‘RSE classes cover all the important relationships and sexuality topics I need to know at this stage in my life.’ 18% strongly agreed; 26% agreed; 17% disagreed; 9% strongly disagreed; 30% unanswered.

27 RSE Survey Results Main ways RSE could be improved: Teaching of RSE to be mandatory; Wider, more in-depth curriculum; More interesting, fun teaching methods; Better trained teachers to deliver RSE; More open debates led by young people; More guest speakers; More focus on mental health issues; To be take more seriously- exam subject. “Actually teach it. Have a variety of discussions, questions, workshops etc. Teach us everything about relationships and sexuality, don't leave bits out.”

28 Use your power to influence the Minister for Education to implement the SPHE programme at senior cycle. We want all party support for the inclusion of sexual behaviour questions in the HBSC survey. We want you to push for RSE to be taught separate to religion. Only 25% of students are getting any RSE in 5 th and 6 th yr and this is mostly through religion class. What YOU can do about our issues

29 We will be publishing and launching our survey in the coming months. It is the first time the views of young people have been collected on this issue. The results speak for themselves and we hope that you will work with us to improve the lives of young people nationwide. Our Survey..

30 We want you to ensure on a local level that young people are involved in developing SPHE and RSE polices in their schools. Support and work with our Comhairle na nÓg around the country. Ensure we are adequately funded. Put teen issues on your party agenda! And Finally….