Sinn Féin spokesperson on Education, Sorca Clarke TD, criticised a removed schoolbook and said that the depiction of a ‘traditional Irish family’ as “bizarre at best.” The Longford Westmeath TD joined widespread condemnation of the Junior Cert textbook which was featured in the Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) curriculum.
Entitled ‘Health and Wellbeing SPHE 1’ the book is for use in the first year of secondary school when students are typically aged between 12-13. A section of the book called ‘All Different, All Equal’ contrasts a mixed-race family with a ’traditional Irish family.’
