Sex education

SIR – Your leading article (March 1) said that the Government’s decision to make relationship and sex education compulsory “has been taken with the best motives”, but that ultimate responsibility for this subject should lie with parents, not teachers.

In recent weeks, I have joined others pressing for change. Evidence shows that school-based relationship and sex education has a positive impact on the attitudes of young people, tends to delay sexual activity and positively affects sexual health.

Young people are overwhelmingly in favour of relationship and sex education. Studies suggest that it is especially appreciated by students from some ethnic and religious minorities, including British-born Chinese students and young Muslim women. These young people value it because they are either not receiving this information at home, or because the information they are allowed reflects attitudes they may not accept.

Young people need to recognise the importance of respect for themselves and others, to understand sexual feelings, to realise they have a right to say no to others’ demands and to know where to seek help if needed. Bernard Jenkin MP (Con) Chairman, Commons Public Administration Committee London SW1 SIR – I share the concerns raised in your leading article about the role of pressure groups in deciding the content of sex education programmes.

It is an article of faith among many such groups to take a non-judgmental approach to sexual activity by young people – in particular that parents must not be informed if children are sexually active, whether or not they are under the age of consent, 16.

Teachers seen in any way to deviate from orthodox thought on this subject are liable to face dismissal.

It is commendable that children are taught to be accepting of others and their lifestyles. It would be improper if their good natures were taken advantage of by the state yielding to pressure groups that wish to indoctrinate them at school with values regarding relationship and sex education with which parents disagree and do not wish them to be exposed to. Keeley-Jasmine Cavendish London SE21