Sex education plans spark more debate

Contentious sex education plans were approved by the government yesterday amid calls that they present faith schools with an "incoherent muddle".

The new bill will centralise sex education, placing the curriculum of all publically-funded schools under the control of government officials. However, the bill was subject to a last-minute adjustment after Labour feared heavy criticism from faith schools and as such the curriculum will be allowed to be taught in a "way that reflects the school's religious character".

According to an article by the Spectator, Melanie Phillips believes that this has now created an "incoherent muddle", which contradicts their beliefs. She writes: "It is hard to envisage how Catholic schools could teach such matters in accordance with their own religious precepts.

Indeed, it is impossible. "For it means that in all schools, parents will now find that their children are to be indoctrinated in a set of 'non-judgmental' assumptions about sexual activity that many may find questionable or objectionable."

Earlier this month, a lawyer told the Christian Institute that teachers who hold Christian views could find themselves unfairly penalised if the government plans were accepted.

Posted by Tim Pearson

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