The British Humanist Association (BHA) has responded to the announcement from Rt Hon Ed Balls MP, Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, that a number of changes will be made to Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education in England following a government commissioned review and public consultation on the subject.
PSHE, which includes Sex and Relationships Education (SRE), is to be made part of the national curriculum and compulsory in both primary and secondary education. The parental right to withdraw their children from SRE until they are 19 will be reduced to 15.
Andrew Copson, BHA Director of Education, said ‘Some of the proposed changes, such as making PSHE compulsory in all schools, are encouraging and present a positive step forward for PSHE. However, we know that objective SRE improves young people’s health and wellbeing and so we regret that schools will still be allowed to alter their approach to SRE in accordance with the school’s ethos, which could in practice lead to subjective and narrow teaching. We are particularly concerned how faith schools will teach about crucial issues, such as contraception and different sexualities.’
‘What is especially concerning, however, is this new age limit for the right of withdrawal. At present, the parental right of withdrawal is hardly ever used. The vast majority of expert respondents to the consultation made explicit that the right should be removed altogether. Introducing a cut-off point for right of withdrawal will only encourage some parents to withdraw their children from vital SRE lessons until they lose that right. It is incredible that the government wishes to send out the signal that 15 is an appropriate age to first be taught SRE – this is the worst kind of concession that they could give to the minority religious lobby and will undoubtedly have a grossly negative impact on those vulnerable young people who need comprehensive SRE from a young age most.’
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For further comment or information, please contact Andrew Copson on 020 7079 3584.
Over the summer the BHA made its own submission to the consultation and encouraged members and supporters to do the same, as well as petition their MP and Ministers on the issue.
The British Humanist Association (BHA) is the national charity representing and supporting the non-religious and campaigning for an end to religious privilege and discrimination based on religion or belief. The BHA contributes to debate on a wide range of ethical issues from stem cell research to sex education. The BHA is a member of the National Children’s Bureau Sex Education Forum (SEF).