The SPHE curriculum is an enabling curriculum its purpose is to offer a framework around which a school can build an SPHE programme at junior cycle. The introduction to the SPHE curriculum sets out theaims of SPHE and the role of an SPHE programme in the education of adolescents and in the context of a second-level school. The curriculum framework itself is divided into ten modules, each of which is revisited in each of the three years of junior cycle. Topics to be covered are listed, and the aims for each topic are set out.
These draft guidelines are designed to support teachers in implementing the SPHE curriculum in the classroom and in designing teaching and learning that will meet the overall aims of SPHE and the particular objectives associated with each topic.
These guidelines are issued in draft form. It is envisaged that the experience of implementing SPHE in schools and classrooms over the period of its introduction can be integrated into the guidelines in their final form.
Rationale and aims
A more extended introduction to SPHE can be found in the SPHE curriculum
It is clear that the aims of Irish education arise out of a commitment to the holistic development of the person, a multi-dimensional vision of society and a recognition of the complexity and richness of the relationship between the individual and his/her local, national and global communities:
- to foster an understanding and critical appreciation of the values - moral, spiritual, religious, social and cultural - which have been distinctive in shaping Irish society and which have been traditionally accorded respect in society
- to nurture a sense of personal identity, self-esteem and awareness of one's particular abilities, aptitudes and limitations, combined with a respect for the rights and beliefs of others
- to promote quality and equality for all, including those who are disadvantaged, through economic, social, physical and mental factors, in the development of their full educational potential
- to develop intellectual skills combined with a spirit of enquiry and the capacity to analyse issues critically and constructively
- to foster a spirit of self-reliance, innovation, initiative and imagination
- to promote physical and emotional health and well being
- to provide students with the necessary education and training to support the country's economic development and to enable them to make their contribution to society in an effective way
- to create tolerant, caring and politically aware members of society
- to ensure that Ireland's young people acquire a keen awareness of their national and European heritage and identity, coupled with a global awareness and a respect and care for the environment.
It follows that education in support of personal, social and health development will be a part of an education process which seeks to fulfil this holistic aim. The holistic aim of education is complemented by a similarly holistic view of health. The tendency to understand health as simply the absence of illness and disease has been replaced by a multi-dimensional and more dynamic view. Physical health is one element, but it cannot be considered in isolation from emotional, mental, spiritual, social, and sexual health. Emotional health involves the ability to recognise and express feelings. Mental health is associated with the ability to think and make judgements. Spiritual health involves integration of many dimensions of life and the ability to put moral and/or religious beliefs into practise. Social health is concerned with integration into a web of relationships and sexual health is the acceptance of and expression of sexuality. As a time of transition, adolescence makes great demands on health in all its aspects - aspects addressed throughout the SPHE curriculum.
Social, Personal and Health Education is not the only aspect of the curriculum which is health promoting. Other subject areas, the whole school climate, the quality of teaching and learning and the quality of school and classroom relationships also contribute to the health of the school community. However, Social, Personal and Health Education programme provides students with dedicated time and space to develop the skills and competencies to learn about themselves and care for themselves and others and to make informed decisions about their health, personal lives and social development.
There is a growing recognition that the Social, Personal and Health Education offered to our young people is as important as any other area of the curriculum. Indeed, personal and social development is a pre-requisite for successful learning; a young person who has a high degree of self worth, a sense of security and a positive self image will be more pre-disposed to school life and to the variety of learning situations it offers.
Support from the Board of Management, from the wider community and in particular from parents, will be necessary for the successful implementation of a school's programme of SPHE.
With such support, students can be enabled to participate as active and responsible adults in the personal and social dimensions of society and to make responsible decisions which respect their own dignity and the dignity of others.
THE AIMS OF SPHE
Building on the aims of SPHE in the primary school, at post-primary level SPHE aims
- to enable the students to develop personal and social skills
- to promote self-esteem and self-confidence
- to enable the students to develop a framework for responsible decision making
- to provide opportunities for reflection and discussion
- to promote physical, mental and emotional health and well being