Sex education could become compulsory in all secondary schools in England, the Education Secretary, Justine Greening, has revealed.
Sex education is currently not compulsory in academies or free schools, which make up roughly two thirds of all secondary schools. Earlier this year, Nicky Morgan, the previous Education Secretary, rejected the proposal for compulsory Sex and Relationship Education (SRE) in all schools.
However, Ms Greening has indicated that the issue of making sex education compulsory in all secondary schools is near the top of her "in-tray". She said:
"It's an area I'm looking at and I haven't reached a formal view."
Government or parental responsibility
Enforcing sex education in all secondary schools would mean that parents who currently choose to withdraw their young children from such lessons would lose that freedom.
In 2011, Angus Reid Public Opinion conducted a pollinto the public opinion on sex education. The poll found that 67% of 2,004 Britons agreed with the notion "parents or guardians should be primarily responsible for teaching sex education to children and teens".
Christian Concern believes that it is ultimately the responsibility of parents, not the State, to educate their children on such matters, reflecting Biblical views. Earlier this year, Andrea Williams said:
"Making SRE mandatory would limit parents' freedom to withdraw their children from these lessons if so desired and usurp their responsibility in deciding what they should and should not be taught at what age."
Ungodly agenda in sex education
Andrea Williams, chief executive of Christian Concern, has previously spoken of the dangers that surround enforcing sex education in all schools.
"For many years, sex and relationship education has not provided a godly stance on sexuality or sexual relationships. Instead, it reflects our society's increasingly liberal sexual norms," she said.
An example of the liberal sexual norms that could be enforced in all schools is positive portrayals of same-sex relationships, in a bid to promote LGBT equality in schools. A concern is that this could lead to the sidelining of heterosexual relationships and denigration of marriage as just one option of many.
Christine Blower, General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers (NUT) said in April 2015:
"The NUT calls for all parties standing in the 2015 General Election to show their commitment to tackling the discrimination faced by both LGBT students and teachers in schools by following the ten point action plan outlined in the Motion.
"This includes maing it compulsory for all schools' sex education policies to include a positive portrayal of same sex relationships, promoting LGBT History Month in all schools, and encouraging schools to develop a curriculum that is inclusive of LGBT issues."
Related Links:
Peers call for mandatory sex education to tackle rise in HIV cases
Free Church of Scotland Moderator Emeritus speaks against mandatory LGBT education
Many parents 'oppose school sex education for children' (BBC)
oll: Responsibility for sex ed should lie with parents (Christian Institute)
Keep your children safe at school (SPUC)
It's time gay relationships were part of the school curriculum (The Times)
Sex education will not be compulsory says Nicky Morgan(BBC)
Inclusive sex education is vital - and British schools aren't delivering it (the Guardian)
Education secretary hints mandatory sex education is 'top of in-tray' after damning reports (PinkNews)
Sex education could become compulsory as minister confirms policy change being considered (the Telegraph)