Sex education to be taught in primary schools

Children as young as 5 will be given sex education lessons in an effort to lower the number of teenage pregnancies.

Currently sex education begins in secondary school at the age of 11, but the government wants the basics to be taught as compulsory to primary school children.

Britain currently has one of the highest teenage pregnancy rates in Europe and figures suggest that more and more young people are getting STIs.

Young children could be taught basic classes on the human body and relationships, with more information being given as they move up through the school.

Family campaigners are against the introduction of the lessons. Norman Wells, director of the Family Education Trust said the new lessons would 'seriously undermine parents' and argued that there is no evidence that teenage pregnancy rates are reduced by starting sex education at an early age.

But the government schools minister Jim Knight said it would be done without 'sexualising young people too early'.

- What do you think? Is 5 too young to learn sex education?

More help and advice

- More facts about teenage pregnancy
- One mum's story about her teen daughter getting pregnant
- Real story: 'I used Corrie to help with sex education'
- More expert advice and tips for primary school kids
- What should they be doing at what age?

Source: PA, Mirror, Telegraph

By Rob Mansfield