A new government-acknowledged report calls for consistent curriculum across schools.
A recent review by the Education Review Office (ERO) has prompted the Government to address the need for consistency in Relationship and Sexuality Education (RSE) in New Zealand schools. The Green Party's Education spokesperson, Dr Lawrence Xu-Nan, emphasized the importance of prioritizing students' voices and wellbeing.
According to the report, 75 percent of students felt they did not receive sufficient education about relationships and sexuality during their time in school. A significant number of students, parents, and whānau support RSE being taught in schools, with 91 percent of students and 87 percent of parents backing this initiative.
Dr Xu-Nan highlighted the critical role RSE plays in equipping young people to navigate relationships and sexual health in a rapidly changing world. He urged policymakers to be guided by evidence and community voices rather than political agendas. The full report is available online, and stakeholders are encouraged to engage with the findings.