The Department of Education has introduced new changes to improve healthy relationships and consent in the State’s schools.
According to the Minister for Education and Training, Sue Ellery the moves will be formally included in the State’s curriculum and ensure students receive the benefits from pre-primary to Year 10.
Ms Ellery said State Education Ministers endorsed version 9.0 of the Australian Curriculum in April, ensuring it will be mandated in education in all Australian schools.
“A draft version of the new consent curriculum for Western Australia has been published by the School Curriculum and Standards Authority, and is open for comment,” Ms Ellery said.
“The consent curriculum content is age-appropriate and progressive in nature. The concepts taught are developmentally relevant and appropriate to students.”
She said that in pre-primary it will begin with concepts such as keeping safe and saying no, which provide the necessary foundation to address more complex skills as students mature into their secondary years.
“Later in the curriculum, students are taught about real-life scenarios to help them develop vital skills and strategies to manage situations where risk is encouraged by others,” Ms Ellery said.
“The Department of Education will support public school teachers to implement the new content in age-appropriate ways and within the context of their school community.”
She said the announcement coincided with an expansion of the Respectful Relationships Teaching Support Program.
“This provides professional learning, resources and support for teachers and school leaders to improve their understanding of family and domestic violence, and the underlying attitudes that cause it,” the Minister said.
“The program is rolling out to an additional 22 schools across WA this year, delivering on an election commitment to expand the program over the next four years.”
