Written answer
School Curriculum
SPHE curricula address substance misuse, including vaping and harmful substances, through age-appropriate learning on risks, addiction, safety, decision-making and accessing support.
523. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education and Youth the curriculum content in place at primary and post-primary schools regarding factual material concerning vaping and nitrous oxide. [64687/26]
Comment on this
The Social Personal and Health Education (SPHE) curriculum addresses substance misuse at age and stage appropriate intervals throughout the cycle of learning of students in our schools. The SPHE curricula have been significantly reformed in recent years across primary and post-primary education.
The Primary Wellbeing specification includes the Strand Unit ‘Substances’ where children develop knowledge and skills to understand the potential impacts and risks associated with substance misuse, follow safety rules and make informed and responsible decisions to keep them safe. Students learn that certain substances and household products, such as cleaning products or aerosols, can be harmful or dangerous if used in ways they were not intended.
In the Junior Cycle SPHE specification, the ‘Making Healthy Choices’ strand focuses on learning about drugs, alcohol and other addictive behaviours and substances.
In Senior Cycle SPHE students examine social norms, attitudes and beliefs related to alcohol, tobacco/vaping and substance use, explain the pathways towards addiction, the signs and consequences of different kinds of addictions and where to go and how to access help, if needed, and also discuss and devise ways to safely manage social situations where their own or others’ health or safety may be at risk.
Teachers can choose from a significant suite of resources to support them in preparing for and teaching SPHE. These resources, developed in association with the NCCA and the HSE, include those in relation to substance misuse. The resources are being developed, reviewed and updated on an ongoing basis with the intention that teachers will be supported with relevant and accessible material to support them in tackling issues as they arise during the teaching of the SPHE curriculum, including the issue of vaping and other harmful behaviours.