School Principals Expose Premier’s Lie

www.tas.greens.org.au

The Tasmanian Greens today accused Premier and Education Minister David Bartlett of misleading Tasmanian parents, students and teachers when he “guaranteed that every state primary and high school offered sex education as part of its curriculum,” in response to the revelation that Tasmania has the second-highest rates of teenage pregnancy and Chlamydia transmission in the nation. [1]

Greens Health and Youth spokesperson Cassy O’Connor MP said she surveyed Tasmanian school principals about this issue in August this year and immediately discovered that, contrary to the Premier’s “guarantee,” sex and relationships education is not being taught in all Tasmanian public schools.

“David Bartlett has made assurances and guaranteed that all Tasmanian public school students are receiving adequate sex and relationships education, but a quick check with school principals has revealed that he is not telling the truth,” said Ms O’Connor.

“A number of principals have revealed that sex and relationships education is not being taught at their schools, directly contradicting the Premier’s so-called ‘guarantee’.”

“Principals have also revealed that the cost of providing adequate sex and relationships education is a burden on their individual school budgets, and that schools who do provide this education ‘do so at their own risk’.”

“One of the principals actually asked the following in response to my survey: ‘A fair question to ask Mr Bartlett might be if he is able to set the same target in relation to rates of teen pregnancy and Chlamydia transmission as he has with literacy?’”

“The Premier must apologise for misleading Tasmanian parents, teachers and students, and take immediate action to ensure that adequate sex and relationships education is taught in all Tasmanian public schools, and that our school communities are not left to carry the burden of the cost of this education,” said Ms O’Connor.

Download: Tasmanian School Principals Survey: Oct7_Tasmanian_Principals_Survey_C_OConnor_ATTACH.pdf

Reference: [1] “Mr Bartlett guaranteed that every state primary and high school offered sex education as part of its curriculum.”

[From “Birds and Bees Thriving in Tasmanian Schools,” The Mercury, Damien Brown, 21 August 2009, p9.]
Cassy O’Connor MP Greens Health and Youth Spokesperson