State schools snubbing sex consent lessons sparks funding call

The government is facing calls to make sure every state school has what it needs to properly teach safe sexual relationships.

More than a quarter of South Australia’s 510 state schools have not taken part in voluntary specialist teacher training on respectful and positive relationships, including informed consent.

The state’s education union is now calling on the state government to directly fund and better support public schools in accessing sexual health and healthy relationships training run by SHINE SA.

Australian Education Union SA branch president Lara Golding said union members have to use allocated funds from their school’s own global or professional development budgets to access the SHINE SA courses and others, particularly regional schools, struggled to find relief teachers for the two-day training.

“Every state school in South Australian should receive targeted funding and support to receive the training and ensure that all students have access to these curriculum materials, education and supports,” said Ms Golding.

Australian Education Union SA branch president Lara Golding. Picture: Supplied.

Data from SHINE SA, which did not wish to comment, reveals there are 130 state secondary schools involved in the Focus Schools Program and 245 state primary schools where one or more staff members have received training.

The Victorian government has just responded to nationwide concerns over the quality and relevance of sex education by directing state schools to teach consent in the Australian curriculum and has promised more professional development for teachers.

Spokespeople for the SA health and education departments say the government funds SHINE SA to deliver the professional learning program for schools if they need additional support and resources, but that it was not mandatory.

State opposition spokeswoman for women and the prevention of domestic and family violence Katrine Hildyard said the Victorian education mandate on consent was “a great step forward” and that more was needed in SA schools to address sexual harassment.

“So much more must be undertaken to educate young people about consent, gender inequality and disrespectful relationships because the prevalence of rape, sexual assault and harassment across our community is absolutely horrific and unacceptable,” she said.

State Education Minister John Gardner has said the state government is awaiting final release of the Australian curriculum’s Respect Matters content, currently under review, and wanted to make sure its settings were right and that schools have the necessary support to create a culture of respect and safety.

The Sunday Mail has reported SA school students are concerned current sex education is too focused on babies and body image and not enough on safe, modern sexual relationships.