Classrooms are not the place for abortion propaganda

Carla Lockhart MP • June 27, 2023

Upper Bann DUP MP Carla Lockhart has said the NIO must make clear that teachers with a moral objection to abortion will not face discrimination or career penalty for refusing to implement the Governments proposals in relation to the RSE curriculum.

Carla Lockhart said:

 

“I despair that the NIO seem determined to make our classrooms a place where the ending of human life is promoted and normalised.

 

We should be teaching our children and young people about hope, about the value of life, about every life reaching its potential. Instead, we now have a diktat from the Secretary of State that imposes abortion propaganda on your young people. It is a sad indictment on the priorities of some.

 

In recent weeks many head teachers and teachers have contacted me expressing their concern that their right to religious belief, and their position on the right to life, will now be used to discriminate against them in the workplace. Teaching staff must have the right to opt-out, and it is important by exercising that right, that they face no penalty either directly, or indirectly by hindering career progression.

 

I have raised these matters with the Secretary of State. We must have clarity on these issues and safeguarding of important rights for those who believe abortion to be wrong.”

Share

By Carla Lockhart MP March 18, 2026
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has praised the strong sense of community across the constituency following a series of local events, including a fundraising initiative at Banbridge Fire Station.
By Carla Lockhart MP March 18, 2026
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has announced a dedicated Town Centre Business Engagement Day as part of her ongoing commitment to supporting local businesses and hearing directly from those operating in town centres. 
By Carla Lockhart MP March 18, 2026
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has welcomed confirmation that Portmore Street in Portadown is to be included in a resurfacing programme, following concerns raised with her by local residents.
By Carla Lockhart MP March 18, 2026
DUP Agriculture spokesperson, Carla Lockhart MP, attended the Royal Courts of Justice in London on Tuesday, to support farmers and rural businesses, as a land-mark legal challenge got underway.
By Carla Lockhart MP March 16, 2026
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has welcomed the announcement of additional UK Government support for households facing soaring heating oil costs, but has warned that Stormont must now act quickly to ensure the funding reaches families in need. 
By Carla Lockhart MP March 13, 2026
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has criticised the DAERA Minister’s plans to introduce an Independent Environmental Protection Agency in Northern Ireland.
By Carla Lockhart MP March 13, 2026
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has urged the Labour Government to support agriculture rather than powering ahead with inheritance tax reforms and other bureaucratic burdens that could threaten the future of family farms.
By Carla Lockhart MP March 11, 2026
Upper Bann MP, Carla Lockhart and her colleagues in the Democratic Unionist Party have voted against legislation which they say risks undermining the long-standing right to trial by jury.
By Carla Lockhart MP March 11, 2026
Churches and faith-based organisations across Northern Ireland are invited to attend the relaunch of an updated Church Funding Directory, hosted by Carla Lockhart MP, at the Oxford Island Discovery Centre on Thursday 19 March at 11:00am.
By Carla Lockhart MP March 11, 2026
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has warned that Government plans to reopen proposals for Digital ID cards risk opening the door to increased state surveillance and represent a policy that the public clearly does not support.