Government in Britain has formulated a set of new rules regarding sex education. The new rules are going to make the lessons compulsory for all schools. The rules apply even for children as young as five years old. They partially take away from the parents the right to withdraw their wards from sex education classes. After the children reach the age of fifteen, parents will no longer have the authority to take away their children from the lessons if they deem it prudent. The new rules state that personal, social, health and economic education is going to be made mandatory for all primary and secondary classes starting from the September of 2011.
The sex education classes involve imparting knowledge about the parts of the body, use of contraceptives and relationships. According to Ed Balls, Secretary of Schools, the children of the primary sections would also be taught about puberty and all that is related instead of the birds-and-bees fantasy they are generally fed. The secondary sections will be taught about birth control, sexually transmitted diseases and different sorts of relationships. They would also be taught about homosexual relationships. The new rule of stripping parents of their authority to withdraw their children would ensure that they undergo at least a year’s formal education on the basic facts of life before they come of age, after which sex no longer remains a criminal offence. Currently, parents can opt to withdraw their wards from sex education classes till they turn 19. The new curriculum is going to make the lessons even more productive, as the schools will not only be teaching about abstinence, but also about everything associated with sex and drugs.
The new rule also means that the faith schools would not be able to opt out of the system with the excuse that it goes against the religious teachings. They would have to adhere to the new curriculum. Ed Balls said that they would be allowed to teach what is permitted within the “tenets of their faith.” However, it would be compulsory for them to provide scientifically correct information. Needless to say, this has not been completely approved by the religious groups. The Muslim Council of Britain strongly opposed the proposition saying that it went against the children’s right to learn according to tradition. Chairman of the Committee Shahid Akmal upheld his views by saying that parents of a certain faith will be left with no choice but to break the laws they cannot adhere to. The Roman Catholic Schools are also likely to face difficulties under the new rule, as they will have to teach the children two diametrically opposite views. On the one hand, they would have to show the students the procedure of using a condom. On the other, their religious principles state that artificial contraception is sinful. They will face further problems as they will have to teach not only about reproduction, but also about birth control, venereal diseases and homosexuality, al of which are considered sins in their faith. They would not be allowed to opt out on the grounds that their faith does not permit pre-marital sex.
Mr, Bells said that it is important for the present generation to learn about sex so that they do not indulge in it irresponsibly. They are subject to a lot of mixed messages, and it is necessary they have a clear conception. He said the faith schools would be free to teach students whatever their religion did or did not permit: no premarital sex, or sex without marriage or outside marriage, but that does not change the fact that these are facts of life. He said that these schools do not have a right to deny their students the truth about these basic facts.
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