Mrs PADGHAM-PURICH - 1995-03-01
Is the minister aware of recent proposals by the National Teachers Union to make classes on AIDS, HIV and sexually-transmitted diseases mandatory for all classes in all primary schools? Secondly, is he aware that this decision by the teachers would override parental choice in children's education and cultural or religious beliefs? Further, the participants at the recent Australian Education Union's Annual Conference in Melbourne wanted parents to be prosecuted for breaching human rights legislation if they did not allow their children to participate in these classes. What is the position of members of the National Teachers Union in relation to these subjects in government schools in the Northern Territory?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, the Department of Education and the government determine the policy for what is delivered in our schools. The health education curriculum in our junior high schools includes matters relating to sex education, AIDS, HIV etc. It includes quite a broad range of social and educational matters as the government sees fit.
We disregard a number of the proposals from the AEU from time to time, including the recent proposal on gender balance, how that ought to be taught in the schools and that we should ensure that boys receive more than their current exposure to home crafts. Currently, they have exposure to cooking and needlework etc, just as girls have exposure to mechanics, woodwork and other activities that have been regarded historically as the province of one gender. We do that on balance. What we will not do is attempt to reverse role models. We will not be party to the AEU's suggestion that young people should be told that they should or should not participate in any activity in their home life irrespective of their own wishes and desires. We do not always take up AEU proposals. As for the compulsory nature of some of these and threats to take parents to the Human Rights Commission, we are aware of the current dilemma of the Human Rights Commission. I believe that is not only a hollow threat, but a nonsensical threat.
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ANSWER
Mr Speaker, the Department of Education and the government determine the policy for what is delivered in our schools. The health education curriculum in our junior high schools includes matters relating to sex education, AIDS, HIV etc. It includes quite a broad range of social and educational matters as the government sees fit.
We disregard a number of the proposals from the AEU from time to time, including the recent proposal on gender balance, how that ought to be taught in the schools and that we should ensure that boys receive more than their current exposure to home crafts. Currently, they have exposure to cooking and needlework etc, just as girls have exposure to mechanics, woodwork and other activities that have been regarded historically as the province of one gender. We do that on balance. What we will not do is attempt to reverse role models. We will not be party to the AEU's suggestion that young people should be told that they should or should not participate in any activity in their home life irrespective of their own wishes and desires. We do not always take up AEU proposals. As for the compulsory nature of some of these and threats to take parents to the Human Rights Commission, we are aware of the current dilemma of the Human Rights Commission. I believe that is not only a hollow threat, but a nonsensical threat.
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Last updated: 09 Aug 2016