Children will be taught about sex and relationships at an earlier age in school under plans for a major overhaul of the primary-level curriculum.
The public is being asked for opinions on the first major revamp of the primary school curriculum in 25 years.
The changes include teaching children about sex, consent and relationships at an earlier stage and spending less class time on religion.
The plan would also see primary school children taught foreign languages at a very basic level, with time also set aside for learning about other cultures.
"Our world has changed"
National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) Deputy CEO Dr Patrick Sullivan told Newstalk it is past time the curriculum was reformed.
“When we think about our world and how it has changed, even more recently, just to bring up Brexit for a moment, we are the only English-speaking country now in the EU and modern foreign languages are becoming important there too,” he said.
“So, our world has changed and this curriculum is responding to that."
Sex education
The NCCA has said it is important to introduce sex education earlier because children are starting school at an older age and some are experiencing puberty earlier.
It said the new curriculum also includes a greater focus on student's well-being – with classes focused on safety and regulating their emotions.
Primary school principal Simon Lewis told The Pat Kenny Show the aim is to make children more resilient.
I think society, as most people will be aware, has changed hugely in the last generation or two,” he said.
“Whereas you and me would have been out on the streets until it got a little bit dark and you would go home and that would be absolutely normal, the way society works, rightly or wrongly, has changed.
“So, children aren’t getting the same opportunities to, I suppose, suffer adversity in the same way we may have done.”
On Newstalk Breakfast this morning, presenter Shane Coleman said he was concerned there has been a dumbing down of our education system over the last 20 years.
People can have their say on the proposed changes online and in school forums from today.
