Growing concern over ‘guidance’ for schools
THE row over advising parents not to tell children to kiss someone or sit on their knee is the latest controversy involving the Relationships, Sexual Health and Parenthood material designed for lessons in Scottish schools.
In August, The Scottish Mail on Sunday revealed children as young as five were to be taught that they could choose their gender. The resource suggested pupils would be asked to decide if they were a boy, girl or neither.
In September, campaigners expressed concern that youngsters would be told not to worry about getting into trouble if they had sex at the age of 13.
The material is still in draft form and the agency delivering the programme has asked for feedback from parents and teachers. A final version is expected to be in place by Easter.
Independent agency TASC (Scotland) Ltd was commissioned to deliver the teaching programme on behalf of a partnership including NHS boards, councils, Education Scotland and the Scottish Government.