Week of the spring fever – what can you expect as a parent?.

Week of the spring fever – what can you expect as a parent?.

Every primary and secondary school is required to provide sex education. What are the rules about sex education? And what does the school discuss with my child during the week of the spring flutter? Which teaching materials are used and what is your role as a parent? Read all about it here.

Is sex education at school mandatory?

Schools are required to provide sex education up to and including the lower grades of secondary school. This is stated in the core objectives. All mandatory lesson topics are set there. Relationships and sexuality are included as a topic.

What does the school teach?

What is exactly discussed in the lessons varies by school. At primary school, it is about friendship, relationships and falling in love. Touching and setting your boundaries are also discussed. There is also attention to different opinions and perspectives about sexuality. Because not everyone looks at it the same way. The material must fit the age of the children. Pupils in group 3 receive different material than pupils in group 8. In the lower grades of secondary school, the focus is on respecting different opinions and ways of living. There is also attention to respectful behavior about sexuality and sexual diversity.

Teaching materials and methods

Your child’s school probably uses teaching materials from Kenniscentrum Rutgers or another provider for this topic. These school packages about sexuality are adapted to different ages and classes. Kenniscentrum Rutgers developed the package Tingles in Your Stomach. School en Veiligheid has developed teaching materials with Gendi teaching materials. The method Wonderlijk Gemaakt is mainly used in Christian primary schools. The school itself chooses whether to use any of these materials; they are not obliged to offer them.

Week of the spring flutter and Long Live Love Award

Many primary schools participate in the week of the spring flutter. This is organized annually by Rutgers. For secondary schools and MBO, the Long Live Love Award was created. It is given every year on Valentine’s Day. Teaching materials are also available for secondary schools and MBO here.

Your role as a parent

Sex education and sexuality is a topic where you as a parent have a big role. If you have carefully chosen a school with a certain identity, you can expect the sex education at school fits this identity. You can also expect the education matches your child’s age. If you have questions about the method at school, ask the teacher which teaching materials they use. This way you can also see what your child learns in class and talk about it at home.

Parents in the school participation council

If you are worried or have questions about the teaching materials, you can discuss this with the parents in the school participation council. They represent you as a parent at school and can talk about this topic and the choice of teaching materials with the school director.

If you as a parent have questions, we can be reached at 088-6050101 or contact us by mail: vraag@oudersenonderwijs.nl