Some sixth-form pupils were allegedly called bullies for expressing the view that homosexuality is wrong, according to a representative of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland (PCI).
The claim was made to MLAs during a session of Stormont’s Education Committee.
According to the BBC, the PCI, along with other main Protestant denominations, is represented in education through the Transferor Representatives’ Council (TRC), which oversees education policy and the appointment of governors to controlled schools in Northern Ireland.
During the committee meeting, Dr Andrew Brown, representing the Presbyterian Church on the TRC, expressed concerns regarding the content of the mandatory Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) curriculum, particularly changes introduced by the former Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Chris Heaton-Harris, in 2023.
Dr Brown recounted an incident where sixth-form pupils were labelled "bullies" for their views on homosexuality during an anti-bullying workshop run by an outside organisation.
The pupils were asked if they believed homosexuality was wrong, and those who raised their hands were told by the workshop leader that they were bullies.
Dr Brown stressed that these students held personal beliefs, which may or may not have been rooted in faith, and were unfairly singled out.
He added that the incident highlights the need for sensitivity when addressing diverse views on sexuality in schools.
Dr Anita Gracie, representing the Methodist Church, noted that teachers are trained to prevent "homophobic remarks" and emphasised that the ethos of schools should prioritise the well-being of pupils.
However, Mr Sheehan questioned how a young gay student might feel in a school where the ethos condemns homosexuality.
Dr Gracie clarified that while schools have a non-denominational Christian ethos, they are open to pupils of all faiths and none, and not all Christian teachings view homosexuality as wrong.
Dr Brown argued that RSE cannot be taught in a morally neutral environment.
He said that while it is important to provide students with biological and legal information, RSE should also allow them to explore moral and ethical considerations, particularly around sensitive topics like abortion and early pregnancy.
He concluded that RSE is shaped by worldviews, which inevitably involve moral and ethical judgments about relationships and sexuality.