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MSPs consider sex education law call | |
(about 14 hours later) | |
Scottish schools should be compelled by law to teach sex and relationship education, according to an organisation which provides sex education. | |
Sexpression:UK said discussions about domestic violence, rape and child abuse should be compulsory from a young age. | |
The call was made as representatives from the organisation made their case to MSPs at the Scottish Parliament. | |
Scotland's school curriculum is largely set out through guidance, rather than in statue. | |
Only religious education and Gaelic instruction in certain regions are enshrined in law, while responsibility for sex and relationship education lies primarily with local authorities. | |
However, Sexpression:UK said more action was needed to tackle Scotland's high rates of teenage pregnancy, sexually-transmitted infections and homophobia. | |
Split curriculum | |
Appearing before Holyrood's petitions committee, Sexpression:UK spokeswoman Rebecca Ryce said her organisation's approach was not about a "preach of ideology". | |
She said the curriculum would be split into factual information about issues such as sexually-transmitted infections and the effectiveness of contraception, and discussion points on subjective topics. | |
"I think it's good for children to hear all sides of the argument as I think that will inform their learning," said Ms Ryce. | |
"For example, with gender-based violence I think that should be compulsory. Discussions about domestic violence, rape, assault and child abuse should definitely be brought up in schools from a young age. | |
"There are core values that I think we should be promoting, certainly, but never an ideology." | |
Conservative MSP Jackson Carlaw, a member of the petitions committee, raised concerns over a statutory approach, adding: "I would worry there was a received wisdom as to what was correct, and that anyone who perhaps took an alternative view to that would be told that they are wrong, when in fact that is a subjective argument and not, in fact, an absolute one." | |
Commenting on the proposals, Rev David Robertson, of the Free Church of Scotland, said: "On the surface Sexpression's concerns seem justified and their solutions reasonable. | |
"However, in reality it is a trojan horse which will be used to indoctrinate our children into the particular sexual ethics and philosophy which Sexpression regard as right." | |
MSPs agreed to take forward the petition and seek further advice from the Scottish government. | |
Petitions committee convener David Stewart said Sexpression:UK's evidence was "timely" and "welcome". | |
"Our recent work on tackling child exploitation shows the benefits of educating children in sex and relationships in an appropriate way, as well as the practical challenges," he said. | |
"As we progress this petition, we will closely monitor the Scottish government's forthcoming new guidance on sex and relationships education." |
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