Laois Minister brands 'explicit' SPHE material a 'disgrace'

A Laois Minister has asked the Minister for Education to withdraw some “explicit” teacher training material from the SPHE curriculum. 

Minister of State, Sean Fleming, was keen to point out that the material which includes a cartoon video of female masturbation and other sexual images in the Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) Junior Cert curriculum isn’t in school books but it is availble to teachers for their course training. 

In private correspondence, Minister Fleming said, “I have personally viewed the video myself. I am totally against and appalled by the inclusion of some of the material contained in the Teachers Training Course as part of the SPHE Curriculum.

I have spoken directly with the Minister for Education on this matter and have asked her to withdraw all such material immediately.  It is a total disgrace and no material of this explicit nature should ever be shown or discussed in schools with young boys and girls. It is totally over the top and should never be considered as part of the SPHE Curriculum,” he said. 

Minister Fleming went on to say that “many people have been in touch with me about this matter and I share their and your outrage and concerns.”