Primary teachers 'should provide comprehensive relationship education'

The Family Planning Association has claimed primary teachers should put every effort into ensuring that pupils receive comprehensive sex and relationship education while at school.

According to the sexual health charity, the government's new Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education lessons represent a "sensible" set of guidelines which will help children make informed, mature decisions in their personal lives.

Rebecca Findlay, spokesperson for the Family Planning Association (FPA), said: "Good sex and relationship education […] helps delay when young people first start having sex.

"Hopefully as a result of this guidance, young people will be able to make better choices, when to have sex and who with, rather than being pressurised into doing it."

The Department for Children, Schools and Families' new PSHE curriculum includes teaching pupils how to deal with exposure to sexual content in the media, on the internet and via mobile phones.

The importance of marriage and stable, loving relationships in relation to family life will also be a key feature of the programme.

Published On 29/01/2010