Outrage as top school hands out hundreds of condoms to pupils

ONE of Scotland’s most prestigious state schools is handing out 200 condoms a month to pupils in a controversial bid to cut teenage pregnancies.

Kirkcaldy High School’s rector, Derek Allan gave details of the scheme to the Scottish Parliament Health Committee Inquiry into Teenage Pregnancy.

He said that during a three-month pilot scheme, staff gave 373 condoms to girls and 252 to boys.

He added: ‘The service was sign-posted discreetly to parents, because the last thing that we wanted to do was to inflame unnecessary reaction. We described it as an enhanced service and invited parents to find out more about it.’

The Fife school’s previous pupils includes former Prime Minister Gordon Brown and economist Adam Smith.

But the area has Scotland’s highest rate of teenage pregnancy, with 4.8 per cent of girls under 18 becoming pregnant.

However, Norman Wells, of the Family Education Trust, condemned the scheme.

He said: ‘Providing condoms to pupils in school, many of whom will be under the age of consent, is grossly irresponsible.

‘The school’s attitude towards parents is equally disturbing. This is not a matter of being “discreet” and “subtle”, but evasive and secretive.’

Fife Council has backed the scheme.