Call to back sex education in all schools

SEX education should be compulsory from Prep to Year 12 in all Queensland schools and expanded to tackle teen trends such as pornography and sexting, according to key submissions to a State Government inquiry.

The inquiry is looking at ways to improve delivery of respectful relationships and sex education relevant to the use of technology.

Queensland state schools are not required to offer sex education lessons with the decision left to the principal and school community, despite a Galaxy poll last year revealing 84 per cent of parents believe it should be compulsory.

The inquiry has received 30 submissions with about 20 supportive of compulsory ageappropriate sex education at all state schools and about six against the idea, ahead of public hearings next month.

Some, such as the Queensland Family and Child Commission, called for compulsory sex education to also be rolled out to independent and religious schools too.

The commission said the re- spectful relationship education program, and others such as the Daniel Morcombe child safety curriculum, were highly valuable but not compulsory.

“If evaluation of these programs demonstrates value and behaviour change, consideration should also be given to making the program mandatory in all schools, including independent and Catholic schools.”

Chairman of the parliamentary committee overseeing the inquiry Townsville MP Scott Stewart said submissions would be dealt with carefully.

“We have received a very broad range of submissions (and) … if need be we can take more time.”

Public hearings will be held on October 11 and 25 and November 15 in Brisbane.