The technology is being piloted in 40 secondary schools and is expected to impact 20,000 students from September.
Psychotherapist, broadcaster and former professional footballer Richie Sadlier has launched Let’s Talk SPHE (social personal and health education), which is reportedly Ireland’s first digital solution aligned with the updated SPHE curriculum.
By 2027, SPHE will be a mandatory subject for fifth and sixth year students. Figures from the Department of Education suggest that only 18pc of Ireland’s more than 700 secondary schools previously timetabled SPHE in fifth year.
Designed to support schools using the reformed course, Let’s Talk SPHE is being piloted in more than 40 schools and is expected to reach roughly 20,000 students from September. Established by Sadlier, as well as guidance counsellor and SPHE teacher Pam O’Leary, the subscription-based teaching solution provides structured SPHE lessons, multimedia learning and teacher guidance.
Commenting on the launch, Sadlier said: “When you introduce a requirement for 60 hours of structured delivery in every secondary school, that’s a significant shift for the system. It’s not a short-term initiative. By 2027, every post-primary school will be delivering a senior cycle SPHE. The question now is how prepared schools are to deliver it.
“For a long time, most education technology focused on examinable academic subjects. What this reform does is recognise that wellbeing and relationships education are just as important. That creates a responsibility to ensure schools have the right supports in place.”
The launch comes at a time when the media, via shows such as Adolescence and Louis Theroux’s Inside the Manosphere, have put an increased focus on the importance of having complex conversations with young people.
Sadlier has spent more than 10 years working with young people in workshops covering issues such as relationships, masculinity, consent and mental health. He also previously led an RTÉ documentary exploring Ireland’s sex education landscape.
In late February, Educate.ie, an Irish-owned publishing company, announced the creation of a new digital learning platform for the classroom called EdPal. The aim is to reduce the administrative burden for teachers, improve clarity for parents and give students a more consistent learning experience.
Developed specifically for post-primary and secondary school students, users will have access to interactive e-books, educational resources and tools to support lesson delivery, engagement and assessment.
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