Primary school sex lessons proposed (From Enfield Independent)

Primary school sex lessons proposed

9:34am Thursday 23rd October 2008

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Primary school children in England should be given basic sex education lessons, a Government review is expected to conclude.

It is likely to recommend a shake-up of lessons to combat concerns that current teaching of the subject is too patchy.

Schools minister Jim Knight, who has been leading the review, is due to present the findings, as well as the Government's responses.

The review is expected to say that sex education should be compulsory in all schools.

This could include teaching young children basic classes on the human body and relationships, with more detailed information being given as a child moves up through school.

Such measures are likely to be opposed by family campaigners and critics argue that sex education in primary schools risks sexualising children at a younger age.

Last week Mr Knight told MPs he had received "strong recommendations" for making sex education compulsory in all schools.

But he said it had to be done without "sexualising young people too early".

International evidence suggests that teaching certain aspects of sex and relationship education before puberty has a "positive effect" on issues such as teenage pregnancy, Mr Knight said.

Britain currently has one of the highest teenage pregnancy rates in Europe and figures suggest that rising numbers of young people are being diagnosed with sexually transmitted diseases.

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