(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations require pupils in key stages 3 and 4 in Northern Ireland to receive scientifically accurate education, that does not advocate or promote any particular opinion, on sexual and reproductive health and rights in accordance with the recommendations in the Report of the Inquiry concerning the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland under article 8 of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (“the CEDAW report”).
The CEDAW report is available at the following website:
They also confer a duty on the Department of Education in Northern Ireland to issue guidance on the content and delivery of education on sexual and reproductive health and rights. They also confer a duty on the Department of Education in Northern Ireland to make provision about the circumstances in which a pupil may be withdrawn from education on sexual and reproductive health and rights or elements of that education at the request of a parent.
They confer a duty on the Department of Education in Northern Ireland to prepare and publish a report on the implementation of education on sexual and reproductive health and rights in Northern Ireland, and to lay that report before the Northern Ireland Assembly.
A full impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no, or no significant, impact on the private, voluntary or public sectors is foreseen.