British Government Announces Plans For Compulsory Sex Education In Public Schools

Main Category: Sexual Health / STDs
Also Included In: Pediatrics / Children's Health;  Women's Health / Gynecology
Article Date: 27 Oct 2008 - 9:00 PDT

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The British government on Thursday announced that sex education classes will be compulsory for children ages five to 16 enrolled in the country's public schools, Reuters reports. The announcement comes in response to recommendations from a review of sex education in Britain's public schools and in an effort to reduce teen pregnancies in the country.

The Personal Social and Health Education curriculum will require that primary school students be taught about parts of the body, puberty and how to talk about feelings and friendships. Secondary school students will learn about stable relationships and the possible results of risky sexual behavior. Sex education currently falls under the science curriculum, and schools are required to teach only the biology of puberty and reproduction, according to Reuters.

Reuters reports that last month, British School Minister Jim Knight told government officials that many students reported they did not know enough about relationships and sexual health to make safe and responsible choices. He said, "Modern life is increasingly complex, and we have a duty to equip our young people with the knowledge and skills to deal with it." Knight added, "It's vital that this information doesn't come from playground rumor or mixed messages from the media about sex. We need structured classroom teaching, set within a clear understanding of right and wrong that emphasizes the importance of family relationships" (Castle, Reuters, 10/23). According to the Daily Telegraph, Knight told the House of Commons that the "international evidence suggests that teaching aspects of sex and relationship education before puberty has a positive effect on such things as teenage pregnancy rates" (Paton, Daily Telegraph, 10/18).

Head Teacher Alasdair MacDonald will lead a review into how to best implement the new sex education requirements. The government said that MacDonald's review will provide flexibility for schools to meet the needs of their individual students and the values of parents, Reuters reports (Reuters, 10/23).

Some groups likely will oppose the new curriculum, arguing that sex education in primary schools poses a risk to young students, the PA/Metro reports. The group Family Education Trust said that there is no evidence to show that teen pregnancy rates are reduced by early sex education programs (Kershaw, PA/Metro, 10/23).

Britain has the highest teenage pregnancy rate in Western Europe, although rates have fallen by 13% over the past 20 years. The government made a target goal in 1999 to halve the teenage pregnancy rate by 2010 (Reuters, 10/23).

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