The Department of Education received more than 50 complaints from parents and teachers about plans to reform sex education with virtually every single letter opposing the proposed changes.

In response, Education Minister Joe McHugh reacted angrily, saying there appeared to be a campaign of “malicious scaremongering” surrounding his plans to change the RSE curriculum.

In one letter, a student primary school teacher said they were “disgusted and shocked” by the proposals which they said was “completely inappropriate and over-sexualises young children”.

They said they opposed teaching the material and having “my own children taught about things such as porn literacy and self-stimulation at the age of eight and even younger”.

Another person wrote: “There may be people who have no regard for the innocence of the children and it is bound to be too much for them and not easy for the teachers.”

Agriculture Minister Michael Creed forwarded a letter that said: “I have serious concerns about the sexualisation of my children. I as a parent have a right to decide when my child is ready to hear about these matters, not a government pushing an agenda.”

Another parent said they believed planned changes were not being discussed in a transparent manner.

“I have genuine concerns that the proposed RSE changes are intended to sexualise children and generate conflict in accepting their own family values, culture, and gender,” they wrote.