Lib Dems announce support for statutory sex education
Schools Minister David Laws says the Liberal Democrats will make statutory Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education a manifesto pledge.
All state funded schools, including academies and free schools, will be required to teach age appropriate sex and relationship education from the age of seven, as well as financial literacy and citizenship, under manifesto plans announced today by the Liberal Democrats as part of a ‘Curriculum for Life’.
Mr Laws said: “It is vitally important that children learn all the life skills they need when they are at school, and Liberal Democrats believe that should include learning financial literacy, citizenship and age-appropriate sex and relationship education.
“That is why we want to make PSHE compulsory in all state-funded schools.
“We have long made the case, both inside and outside government, for updated sex and relationship education to be taught in all schools, including academies and free schools, but it is not something the Conservatives are open to.
“We believe that by educating children about sex and relationships in an appropriate way, we can help them to make informed choices in their personal lives and ensure that they have the best opportunity to succeed.”
The MP continued: “Currently academies and free schools have no requirement to teach sex and relationship education, depriving children of important life lessons.
“Liberal Democrats are committed to ensuring that children have access to age-appropriate sex and relationship education regardless of where they go to school.”
Mr Laws concluded: “By learning how to manage money and, we will be equipping children with the skills necessary to deal with the many practical issues that they will face in adult life, such as balancing a budget or voting for the first time.
“Teaching these important life lessons will help to build the stronger economy and fairer society that Liberal Democrats want to see.”
