Orla, 16, mixed school, Co Meath:"The first sex education talk we had was in sixth class. I don't really remember the talk but it was basically about sex and pregnancy. Everyone really just spent the time laughing. The speaker that was brought in didn't have the best approach as she got annoyed with us. I think she should have understood that it was uncomfortable, we were all 11 or 12 and were really embarrassed.
"The second talk I had was in first year, a speaker was brought in again and they split up the girls and boys. It was all about puberty and growing up. The speaker was a representative of a brand of feminine hygiene products. I didn't learn much. The purpose of the talk seemed to be to brainwash us into using her product - we were shown an 'inferior' product. We also got free samples.
"We had talks again from an outside speaker in secondary school. She taught us about sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and really encouraged everyone to take part. I think the sex education that we had in sixth class could have dealt with puberty and it didn't."
Jessica, 16, girls' school, Co Dublin:
"I had been given regular talks in school about sex in SPHE from my teacher in first year up until third year. These were very detailed talks on contraception, the body and brief discussions about STIs. When I went into transition year we were given a very detailed talk on diseases and contraception by a professional who specialised in this area. I think the quality of sex education in my school is exactly what it should be and I feel like I have been taught properly. I have already received enough sex education and they continue to teach us about it in religion and other subjects in school."
Neil, 16, boys' school, Dublin:
"We got a brief introduction to sex in fifth and sixth class although I am not sure we were mature enough to deal with it then. One guy got sick, another nearly fainted. I think it was a case of 'too much too soon'. I'm not saying it shouldn't be taught at that age, it's just it was definitely hard for a group of 11-year-olds to deal with the knowledge of what their parents get up to.
"By the time I stumbled into secondary school, the whole topic of sex was still a taboo, since there were a few who were totally clued in about all aspects of puberty and so on. We did get sex education in the beginning of secondary school but what's terrifying for me now is that the topic of diseases was never addressed and never has been. My knowledge of all STIs has been word of mouth and gossip primarily.
"Three years have gone by since then, and now I'm worried about kids who, not unlike me, have very little knowledge of the whole STIs part of sex education. My sex education experience to date has been sub-standard and not addressed in what I would believe to be the correct way."