Balls clarifies PSHE teacher jobs as bill passes

Schools Secretary Ed Balls has clarified the government's position in relation to teacher jobs and the new personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education curriculum.

Liberal Democrats schools spokesman David Laws recently accused the government of allowing those in education jobs at faith schools an opt-out clause after it tabled a late amendment to the bill, which has now been passed by the House of Commons.

However, Mr Balls told the BBC: "Currently a faith school can choose […] to ignore talking about contraception or abortion or any of those things; that is now going to change.

"What the law will say from now is that […] they've got to give young people the facts on contraception and on abortion."

He added that faith schools will be also obliged to let children know that homosexuality is a valid life choice, although those in teacher jobs at such institutions will be able to inform pupils of their religion's view on the subject.

Posted by Alan Douglas

Published On 24/02/2010