Sex education for 5-yr-olds compulsory in UK schools

Reuters

Thursday, October 23, 2008  22:56 IST

LONDON: Sex education classes will become mandatory for state-educated children in England aged five to 16, alongside new lessons on drugs, healthy lifestyles and finance, the government announced on Thursday. Primary school children are to be taught about parts of the body, puberty and how to talk about feelings and friendships.

Secondary school pupils will learn about the importance of stable relationships to family life and about how risky sexual behaviour can lead to infection and unwanted pregnancies. “Modern life is increasingly complex and we have a duty to equip our young people with the knowledge and skills to deal with it,” said schools minister Jim Knight. “It’s vital that this information doesn’t come from playground rumour or the mixed messages from the media about sex.

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