DESC: Sex ed investigation details will stay confidential to avoid ‘prejudice’

MHK queries information ‘void’ for members of the public 

Details about the investigation into how the Relationships and Sex Education Advisory Curriculum is being taught in Manx schools will remain confidential.

The Department of Education, Sport and Culture has defended its decision to keep the terms of reference private, until its complete, saying it wants to avoid ‘prejudice’.

It appointed independent external investigators at the start of March following concerns about the delivery of the curriculum within secondary schools.

Speculation about the topics allegedly being discussed has attracted widespread media attention here, in the United Kingdom and across the globe.

The investigators – confirmed to Manx Radio by the chief minister as being a lawyer and former police officer - are due to produce a report highlighting any action the DESC may need to undertake.

The department has refused to answer questions put to it by Manx Radio about how the investigation will be carried out and when the report will be compiled by.

In the House of Keys yesterday (14 March) Minister Julie Edge confirmed the investigation is a ‘matter of priority’.

She also revealed it will look into the delivery of a ‘drop down day’ held at QEII High School in September as well as the teaching of the curriculum at the school.

Following the outcome of this the investigation will look into the wider RSE curriculum.  

However Minister Edge was questioned as to why Tynwald members, and not the public, have been provided with the information about the investigation.

Arbory, Castletown and Malew MHK Jason Moorhouse has described the situation as ‘frustrating’ saying a lack of transparency has created a ‘void’: