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Justine Greening's proposals to make Relationships and Sex Education mandatory in schools have been enthusiastically welcomed by all but religious conservatives. But whilst the proposals are a step in the right direction, the decision to allow parental opt-outs and give faith schools leeway to teach the subject in accordance with their religion means some children will be left behind.
This isn't acceptable. The move towards statutory RSE comes amid increasing concerns around child sexual exploitation, sexual health and the growing risks associated with growing up in a digital age.
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There is a clear need for schools to tackle issues around sex, relationships, consent, gender equality and sexuality. Eductaion there is a compelling case to act in relation to pupil safety then surely the proposals should apply equally to all children link young people, irrespective of their religious or cultural background.
Yet under the proposals, some of the children and young people most in need of this information, those denied it at home by socially or religiously conservative parents, will still be denied it. The Government says it is important that Should Sex Education Be Legal "ensure universal coverage for all pupils and improved quality" only to then undermine itself by granting Educatoin to religious schools. All children deserve the same chances in life.
Good quality comprehensive sex education should be every child's right. Instead, under these proposals, the subject will continue to be delivered according to the whims of religious authorities, rather than the needs of young people.
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These proposals risk reducing children in faith schools and from conservative religious backgrounds to second class status. The limited scope of the subject also appears to be a sop to religion anxieties, fed by inaccurate tabloid 'scare' stories.
Why, for example, why is the Government limiting primary school obligations to 'relationships education'? It is well established that the onset of puberty and sexual awareness, including of sexual orientation, occur for many children before they reach secondary school. Primary school children need age-appropriate education around the body, safe and unsafe touch, and puberty. What good reason is there to leave them in the dark?
The Government will hold discussions on what should be taught to children, and at what age, and there will be a full public consultation later this year. But the lack of explicit reference to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender LGBT people in the proposals is a concern. The proposed legislation seems to fall short of the latest recommendation from the Committee of the Rights of the Child which called on the UK to "Ensure that meaningful sexual and reproductive health education is part of the mandatory school curriculum for all schools".
The Government argues that specifying the content of the subjects on the face of primary legislation would be "too prescriptive" and would run the risk of the legislation becoming "quickly out of date as the world changes".]
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