Concerns raised recently in the Upper Clutha community about inappropriate sex education have been countered by Mount Aspiring College Te Kura o Tititea (MAC) and the Ministry of Education.

A leaflet circulating in the community outlines information given to a class of 11 to 13 year olds at a Northland School in August this year.

Tauraroa Area School principal Grant Burns apologised to parents after one of his teachers detailed different types of sex acts in response to an anonymous student question.

Grant said the information was not age appropriate, and steps had been put in place to ensure it would not happen again. Counselling was made available to the students.

The leaflet circulating locally is titled ‘Inappropriate sex education in our schools?’ and asks people to “check the curriculum in your local area” if they have concerns. 

The Ministry of Education says age-appropriate relationships and sexuality education is an important part of learning. IMAGE: Ministry of Education

Ministry of Education Pathways and Progress associate leader (Hautū) Pauline Cleaver confirmed to the Wānaka App the information provided by the Tauraroa School teacher is not part of the national curriculum. 

“This is not a Ministry resource, nor had it been seen by us prior to any circulation,” she said.

“Providing this type of description to students does not align with the Ministry of Education’s guidance around learning within relationships and sexuality education, for any age group within schools.”

MAC principal Nicola Jacobsen is aware of the leaflet.

MAC undertook community consultation on its Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) last year, she said, in line with the Ministry of Education’s requirement to ensure each school’s programme is appropriate for its local community.

“This is something we will continue to do every two years to keep our community informed of what is being taught in health classes from years 7 - 10,” Nicola said.

The health programme overview, which is published in the MAC newsletter each week, outlines that Year 7 students learn hauora/wellbeing, sexuality education (“Navigating the journey”), keeping themselves safe (online and in life), and mindfulness. Year 8 students also look at decision making and self esteem, and vaping/drugs and alcohol awareness.

Ministry of Education guidance on RSE programmes, published in 2020, notes that the programmes are undertaken in a rapidly changing world.

“This update is informed by an awareness of changing family structures, shifting social norms in relation to gender and sexuality, the rise of social media, and the increased use of digital communications and devices,” it states. 

“It acknowledges the increased calls for social inclusion and for the prevention of bullying, violence, and child abuse. It recognises the importance of social and emotional learning for healthy relationships.”

Read the Ministry of Education’s guidance on age-appropriate teaching and learning here.