THE TELEGRAPH: Sex and drug lessons will be compulsory under plans announced by the Schools Secretary.
Under the new curriculum, pupils as young as seven will learn about puberty and the facts of life and five-year-olds will be taught about parts of the body, relationships and the effects of drugs on the body.
Once they reach secondary school, pupils will learn about contraception, HIV and Aids, pregnancy and different kinds of relationships - including same sex unions and civil partnerships.
So-called Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education is to become compulsory in both primary and secondary schools from September 2011, and will be enshrined in new legislation.
Faith schools will not be able to opt out of any part of the new statutory curriculum, Ed Balls also confirmed today, although they will be able to teach topics within the ''tenets of their faith''.
Under current rules parents have the right to withdraw their child from sex education classes up until the age of 19. Sex and drug lessons from age 5 >>> | Thursday, November 05, 2009
