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Relationships and Sexuality Education Strategy for Government Schools

Tue 2 October 2012

Nick McKim

Minister for Education and Skills

A Relationships and Sexuality Education strategy for all Tasmanian government schools from Kindergarten to year12 has been developed. 

Launching the strategy today, the Minister for Education and Skills, Nick McKim, said that the aim was to improve the quality and extent of relationships and sexuality programs in all government schools.

"My intention is that all government schools from K-12 have relationships and sexuality education programs that include all students.

"Learning about relationships and sexuality is an important aspect of education.

"Children need to develop responsible attitudes and behaviours so they can make informed decisions about sex and sexuality and develop respectful relationships.

"Schools will be provided with support to align relationships and sexuality education with the Australian Curriculum."

Mr McKim said that it is widely acknowledged that educating young people about relationships and sexuality establishes lifelong healthy behaviours and improves their own and others health and wellbeing.

"The Tasmanian Curriculum Policy states that all schools should offer all students a comprehensive, developmentally appropriate relationships and sexuality education program.

"The Department of Education has worked collaboratively with other agencies to develop this strategy."

This is part of a long term strategy to improve health outcomes for Tasmania.

Mr McKim said that a brochure summarising the strategy is available to download from the Department of Education website for government schools to share with their school communities.

"This is about preparing our students for the future," he said.