[Greens-Media] Tas Greens_Education Minister Failing Our Children on Sex Ed_C O'Connor MP

[greens at parliament.tas.gov.au]

BARTLETT BUCK PASSING ON SEX ED PUTS TAS TEENS AT RISK

Minister is 'Out-of-Touch and Negligent'

Cassy O'Connor MP
Greens Health Spokesperson

Thursday, 20 August 2009
Contact: State Parliamentary Offices of the Tasmanian Greens, (03) 6233
8300

www.tas.greens.org.au


The Tasmanian Greens today described as 'out-of-touch and negligent' the
Education Minister's denial of concerns raised by Family Planning
Tasmania and Tasmanian GPs and his refusal to acknowledge that too many
Tasmanian public primary and secondary school students are missing out
on crucial sex and relationships' education, putting them at risk of
adverse health outcomes.

Greens' Health and Youth Spokesperson, Cassy O'Connor MP, said Tasmania
has the second-highest rate of both teenage pregnancies and Chlamydia
transmission in the nation, yet in Question Time today Minister Bartlett
made it plain he will do nothing to bring about change.

"Tasmanians GPs and Family Planning Tasmania have raised concerns about
Tasmania's curriculum failure in sex and relationship education, yet
Minister Bartlett is pretending they are wrong.  He is pretending there
AREN'T teenage Tasmanians who believe you can't get pregnant if you have
sex standing up!

"There is no standardised curriculum emphasis on sex and relationships
education during primary and secondary schooling.  It is left up to
school communities to decide, and it's clear from educators I have
spoken to that some are making the choice not to include this learning
for fear of upsetting some parents.

 "Mr Bartlett's refusal to act on the Greens' constructive proposal for
a standardised sex and relationship education curriculum is arrogant,
out-of-touch and negligent."

"The Education Department under David Bartlett is failing to properly
educate young Tasmanians about sexual and relationship matters, and is
leaving our children vulnerable to unwanted sex, teenage pregnancy,
sexually transmitted infections and lifelong self esteem issues." 

"This is a serious public health issue, and one for which there is no
justification for neglecting. Our children and young people deserve
better," Ms O'Connor said.




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