S*x education in English schools set to be banned before children. Education Secretary Gillian Keegan will present recommendations for topic discussion in phases based on students’ ages.
According to new guidelines that the government will propose, “explicit” discussions on topics like contraception would be postponed until age 13, and s*x education in England’s primary schools will only be available to students aged nine and up.
According to reports, the education secretary, Gillian Keegan, is expected to release revised guidelines this week on relationships, s*x, and health education. These guidelines are expected to include additional limitations on teaching about gender identity and gender expression, with teachers being instructed to substitute “biological” facts.
Keegan is going to declare a consultation in which he suggests that schools should not offer any s*x education to students until the fifth grade or when they are nine years old.
As stated by a Whitehall source, “These limits are based on advice from an expert panel. Most schools are doing a great job [teaching s*x and relationship education]. However, there have been many concerning reports.”
For example, when a younger student shares an unsuitable image with the class or when there are special circumstances, schools are allowed to discuss subjects that are not specifically listed for the age categories.
According to the source, “this guidance achieves the difficult balance of ensuring children are both prepared and able to remain children.”
Several Conservative MPs have long called for schools to show parents the curriculum materials to be used, which is now mandated under the guidelines.
According to The Daily Telegraph, the ideas are shared with cabinet members, and the details are “still being finalized.” This implies that modifications may be made before they are released.
The Telegraph further revealed that the guidelines would explicitly state that teachers must state that there are two biological s*xes and that “gender ideology,” which includes conversations addressing gender transitions, is a “contested subject.”
According to one consultant, how political conversations are handled is similar to “any other contested view: schools should ensure they are clear that it is a contested view and fairly present all sides.”
The updated criteria are reportedly significantly more specific about what can be taught in s*x education classes in schools to students who are in year nine and up to the age of 13.
Before then, the discussion will be restricted to the “basic facts” of conception and delivery.
Primary schools are anticipated to emphasize the value of friendships, families, and maintaining “respectful” relationships. They will also address harmful roles and stereotypes and caution students about the risks associated with social media and online relationships.
The guidelines will be updated to include a new section on s*xual assault and harassment, which will cover abusive behaviors like stalking. Additionally, teachers will receive instruction on how to deal with misogynistic internet influences.
Since Rishi Sunak pledged to present new guidelines in March 2023, the administration has debated the adjustments. Subsequently, over fifty Conservative Members of Parliament lobbied the prime minister, claiming that kids were being “indoctrinated with radical and unevidenced ideologies” regarding gender and s*x.
Relationships, s*x, and health education (RSHE) is now a subject that must be taught in all secondary schools in England. Since September 2020, relationship education has also been required in elementary schools.
Credit: Support the Guardian
