Madam, - The concern expressed (July 27th),at the inaction of the Department of Education and Science in regard to the Exploring Masculinities programme, deserves urgent consideration. The prevarication on the part of this Department when faced with difficulties, both ideological and practical, upon the introduction of any lifeskills type of programme in schools cannot be allowed to continue in light of the serious issues involved. There is a National Youth Health Programme in partnership with the Departments of Education and Health and the National Youth Council of Ireland. This is confined to the non-formal education sector.
May I make a suggestion? The establishment of a centre specifically for adolescent health, based on an organisational network model, including students, parents and cross-sectoral government agencies, may better serve young people who today navigate adolescence at a time of rapid social change. An excellent model of such a centre is in operation in Melbourne, Australia since 1992. - yours etc.,
MARY CUNNINGHAM, Dollymount Park, Clontarf, Dublin.