In its final report and recommendations, the Welsh Government’s Sex and Relationships Education Expert Panel (SREEP) has identified ‘significant gaps’ in the sex and relationships education (SRE) curriculum on offer to children in Wales, prompting Education Secretary Kirsty Williams to promise a considered response to the SREEP report in the new year.
Wales Humanists, which as part of Humanists UK has campaigned for a robust SRE curriculum in Wales for many years, has welcomed the Education Secretary’s openness to reform.
The SREEP was convened by Kirsty Williams in March to review SRE in Wales. In its final report, the SREEP identifies that SRE in Wales is currently being taught in an overly biological, mechanistic fashion, with too little emphasis placed on relationships, emotions rights, or even vital information about domestic violence, gender identity, and sexual orientation. This information is critical to ensuring that children in Wales have their human right to education met in full.
Wales Humanists coordinator Kathy Riddick commented:
‘We want every child in Wales, including those attending faith schools, to receive a thorough, age-appropriate, and inclusive education about sex and relationships, as is their right.’
‘Wales has been a leader in the UK on many issues in education for years, and sex and relationships education offers the Welsh Government a clear opportunity to set the gold standard for this area of education in the UK, and so we look forward to Kirsty Williams’ response. ‘
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For further information or contact, contact Wales Humanists coordinator Kathy Riddick on kathy.riddick@humanists.uk or Humanists UK Education Campaigns Manager Jay Harman at jay@humanists.uk.
Wales Humanists is part of Humanists UK, the national charity for the non-religious. We advance free thinking and promote humanism to create a tolerant society where rational thinking and kindness prevail. Our work brings non-religious people together to develop their own views, helping people be happier and more fulfilled in the one life we have. Through our ceremonies, education services, and community and campaigning work, we strive to create a fair and equal society for all.
Read more about Humanists UK’s work on Relationships and Sex Education: https://humanists.uk/campaigns/schools-and-education/school-curriculum/pshe-and-sex-and-relationships-education/