Question NW1606 to the Minister of Basic Education

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09 December 2019 - NW1606

Profile picture: Tarabella - Marchesi, Ms NI

Tarabella - Marchesi, Ms NI to ask the Minister of Basic Education

(1)With reference to her reply to question 1033 on 4 November 2019, what are the details of the support mechanisms that her department provides to educators who (a) are not comfortable with teaching comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) and/or (b) simply refuse to teach CSE; (2) (a) what action will be taken against educators who refuse to teach CSE based on moral or religious objections, (b) who will teach the CSE classes if an educator refuses to teach CSE and (c) where will the extra educators come from to teach the CSE?

Reply:

1. (a) Teachers are provided with a 3 days training that covers the content and teaching methodologies used and how to use the Scripted Lesson Plans (SLPs), including lesson demonstrations. Subject Advisors are also provided with coaching and mentoring training to be able to provide continuous support to teachers during implementation.

(b)Life Orientation (LO) teachers can’t refuse to teach CSE as it is part of Life Orientation and have been taught since 2000,

2) (a) Disciplinary action will be taken against educators who refuse to teach.

(b) A substitute educator will be appointed in the case where the educator in question is suspended pending disciplinary procedures.

(c) CSE is part of the Life Orientation curriculum and there will be no need for additional educators.

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