There will be an Alliance motion on Relationship and Sexuality Education debated in the Assembly on Monday.
Mrs Brownlee said,
“The DUP has consistently argued that parents are best placed to determine what is in the best interest of their child and that the ethos and values of schools must be respected. Parents however are absent from the Alliance motion.
91% of those respondents to the RSE consultation agreed that parents should be informed about the nature and content of RSE curriculum. An even higher percentage agreed that parents should have access to an overview of the school’s RSE policy and curriculum. 61% of respondents were clear that parents’ rights should take precedent in relation to these matters. Again, this strongly reflects the approach we have taken in relation to this issue from the beginning.
Governors, teachers and parents must be central in how RSE is taught. The Alliance Party should be aware that they mess with children’s education at their peril. There is a genuine feeling of anger and fear amongst parents who feel that the Alliance Party wants to diminish their rights and will seek to legislate in a manner where teachers will be forced to teach materials which collide with their conscience.”