Sir, Your report on the RSE meeting in Donegal Town (May 21st) implied that the majority of parents attending that meeting opposed Relationship and Sexuality Education in primary schools. This is inaccurate. No vote was taken at the meeting because it was an information meeting only.
Fewer than 10 per cent of those present at the meeting spoke and a number of those who spoke were not parents of primary school children. Their views were therefore not representative of the views of parents.
Literature opposing RSE was distributed, but no one at the meeting identified themselves as being from any organisation against RSE. Likewise, the spokesperson quoted in your report did not identify himself or his organisation.
Many parents expressed dissatisfaction after the meeting at the content of the statements made by those opposing RSE and at the content of the literature distributed by the anti-RSE group.
Many of those who attended the meeting welcome the RSE curriculum, which enables pupils to form values and establish behaviour within a moral, spiritual and social framework. One of the greatest strengths of RSE is that parents, teachers and boards of management of each school will draw up their own individual policy and will therefore have the final say on the content and format of RSE in their school.
Yours, etc.,
Laghey Post Office,
Co Donegal.