The Tasmanian Government has announced the release of a new Relationships and Sexuality Education Strategy for all State Government schools from Kindergarten to Year 12.

  

State 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,” Mr McKim said.

 

"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."

 

A brochure summarising the strategy can be found here