Sexuality education today in Queensland schools
Sexuality education is an important curriculum responsibility in every school. Sexuality education provides opportunities for students to develop knowledge, skills and healthy attitudes through comprehensive programs in every year level to ensure the healthy sexual development of students.
Sexuality education topics and themes are embedded across numerous Key Learning Areas (KLAs) within the Essential Learnings documents. The three KLAs, with the strongest links to sexuality education are Health and Physical Education, Science and Studies of Society and Environment.
Department of Education and Training (DET) has produced the Scope and Sequence Charts (one for each KLA) to assist with the interpretation of the Essential Learnings. The Scope and Sequence Charts contain detailed descriptions of what students have the opportunity to learn at each year level from Years 1–9. Numerous sexuality education topics are detailed in the Scope and Sequence Charts for Health and Physical Education, Science and Studies of Society and Environment.
Examining the Essential Learnings for each KLA, in conjunction with DET’s Scope and Sequence Charts, continues to provide teachers and schools with strong support to deliver sexuality education to Queensland students.
In June 2008, Family Planning Queensland commissioned Galaxy to conduct a poll that examined the level of support for sexuality education in Queensland schools. A sample of 518 parents/carers of children aged up to 17 years were interviewed. A summary of these results indicates that:
- 82% of parents/carers are in favour of sexuality education in schools
- 72% of parents/carers would be concerned if there was no sexuality education in schools
- 87% of parents/carers believe that sexuality education can increase the likelihood of having healthy relationships
- 78% of parents/carers think it appropriate for students to receive more sexuality education in schools
- 86% of parents/carers believe that students need information about growing up before they commence puberty
- 80% of parents/carers are in favour of students receiving safe sex and contraceptive information.
(Galaxy Research, 2008)
Department of Education, Training and the Arts. (2008a). Health and physical education scope and sequence chart. Retrieved June 4, 2008 from http://education.qld.gov.au/curriculum/scope.html
Department of Education, Training and the Arts. (2008b). Science scope and sequence chart. Retrieved June 4, 2008 from http://education.qld.gov.au/curriculum/scope.html
Department of Education, Training and the Arts. (2008c). Studies of society and environment scope and sequence chart. Retrieved June 4, 2008 from http://education.qld.gov.au/curriculum/scope.html
Galaxy Research. (2008). Sexuality Education Study. Galaxy Research for Family Planning Queensland: Brisbane.
Queensland Studies Authority. (2007). The QCAR framework: Aligning curriculum, assessment and reporting. Retrieved June 2, 2008, from http://www.qsa.qld.edu.au/downloads/assessment/qcar_is_framework.pdf