Sex education in English schools set to be banned
before children are nine
Education secretary Gillian Keegan to announce
guidelines for phased discussion of topics depending on pupils’ age
Richard
Adams and Pippa Crerar
Tue 14 May
2024 23.59 BST
Sex
education in England’s primary schools is to be limited to those aged nine and
over, with “explicit” discussions on topics such as contraception to be delayed
until the age of 13, according to new guidance to be proposed by the
government.
The revised
guidance on relationships, sex and health education is expected to be published
this week by the education secretary, Gillian Keegan, and is likely to contain
further restrictions on teaching about gender and identity, with teachers told
to instead explain “biological” facts, according to reports.
Keegan will
announce a consultation that proposes schools be barred from teaching sex
education of any type before year 5, when children are nine years old.
A Whitehall
source said: “Most schools are doing a great job [teaching sex and relationship
education], however, there have been many concerning reports, and these limits
are based on advice from an expert panel.”
Schools
would be given the flexibility to discuss topics outside the detailed age
groups in certain circumstances, such as if a younger child shared an
inappropriate image with a class.
“It’s never
an easy balance to make to ensure children are both prepared but also able to
remain children but this guidance achieves that,” the source said.
The
guidance will also require schools to show parents all classroom material to be
used – something long demanded by a group of Conservative MPs.
The Daily
Telegraph reported that the details were “still being finalised”, with the
plans being circulated to cabinet ministers, and suggested there could still be
changes before they are published.
The
Telegraph also reported that the guidance will make clear that “gender
ideology” involving discussions regarding changes of gender is a “contested
subject”, and that teachers must say that there are two biological sexes.
However,
one adviser likened it to “any other contested view: schools should ensure they
are clear that it is a contested view and fairly present all sides” – in the
same way that political discussions are handled.
The revised
guidelines are said to be far more detailed on what schools can teach in sex
education up to the age of 13, when pupils are in year 9.
Before
that, the content will be limited to “basic facts” of conception and birth.
Primary
schools will be expected to focus on the importance of families, friendships
and ensuring that relationships are “respectful”, including discussion of
damaging stereotypes and roles, as well as warning of the dangers of social
media and online relationships.
Discussions
of sexual acts will be kept until year 9, the third year of secondary school in
England, which may also cover subjects such as contraception, abortion and
sexually transmitted diseases.
Topics such
as sexual violence and domestic or relationship violence are not to be raised
until year 9.
Pupils in
year 7 will be able to be taught about the dangers of sending or receiving
naked images or pornography, as well as about sexual harassment, stalking and
grooming.
Rishi Sunak
first agreed to bring forward the review of England’s statutory guidance on
relationships, sex and health education (RSHE) in March 2023, after pressure
from Conservative MPs who claimed that inappropriate subjects and graphic
material were being taught.
The claims
were rejected by teaching unions, with one describing the review as
“politically motivated”.
Sem comentários:
Enviar um comentário