'Start younger' on sex education
James Tweed
Wednesday, July 16, 2003
Sex education should begin early at primary school, a report by an independent advisory group on teenage pregnancy has recommended. In its second annual report, published last week, the Independent Advisory Group said it was 'disappointed' that primary schools had not followed the lead of secondary schools and endorsed Sex and Relationships Education, 'particularly considering evidence of earlier pubertal changes'.
In its second annual report, published last week, the Independent Advisory Group said it was 'disappointed' that primary schools had not followed the lead of secondary schools and endorsed Sex and Relationships Education, 'particularly considering evidence of earlier pubertal changes'.
The report added, 'It is important that primary schools recognise sex and relationships education as an important part of Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) and Citizenship.'
The report recommended that PSHE be made part of the statutory curriculum.
Gill Frances, the group's deputy, said, 'Secondary schools have accredited teachers of PSHE and we would like to see primary schools start thinking about things at their end.
'We would like to see emotional and social skills being taught in children at the age of four or five to give them a strong basis to deal with puberty and express confidence and self-esteem.'
The group made eight key recommendations, including a call for the national information campaign to target young people from black and ethnic minority groups and boys and young men. The report said that boys and young men are 'half the solution' to reducing teenage pregnancy.
The report also welcomed a Government initiative unveiled last month which from September will offer teenage parents in England up to 5,000 a year of financial support for three years towards their childcare costs to enable them to continue their education or training.
