New research confirms Relationship and Sexuality Education (RSE) in schools isn't fit for purpose, sparking a Government review.
Education Minister Erica Stanford acknowledged the report's findings of inconsistent RSE teaching methods across schools, with over three-quarters of school leavers saying they didn't learn enough about consent. A third of parents want to change what or how RSE is taught, while nearly a quarter of schools deliver it on an ad-hoc basis.
The Education Review Office (ERO) report makes several recommendations, including a review of the 2007 RSE Curriculum. In response, the Ministry of Education will convene a group of curriculum writers to develop a new RSE framework explicitly outlining what gets taught and when.
A draft of the topic areas will be available from Term 1, with consultation open later in 2025. This reform aims to give schools certainty and parents clarity on their child's education. The Ministry plans to use the report's recommendations to inform this refresh and provide high-quality RSE.