News by email Donate

Suggestions

Top Stories

Most Read

Popular Videos

school-cross-on-wall-main_article_image.jpg
Photofusion/REX
UK News

Call to strip Catholic schools of veto on sex education

by Antony Bushfield

The Humanist Society Scotland group has long campaigned against current rules that mean Catholic schools are not obliged to teach sex education.

At the moment, Church schools will have a different curriculum when it comes to sex and relationships compared to other schools that can teach issues like pornography and sexting.

One in five young people in Scotland will be taught in a Catholic school, figures show.

The Society has launched its latest campaign after reports the UK Government was considering making sex education compulsory in all English schools. As education is devolved to Edinburgh this would not happen north of the border.

A previous campaign by the Humanist Society Scotland in 2014 failed to make MSPs support calls to force Catholic schools to teach sex education.

HSS
Gordon MacRae

Chief Executive Gordon MacRae said: "Pupils in Scotland must not be left behind those elsewhere in the UK.

"We look forward to the Scottish Government reviewing their arrangements and removing the effective veto that faith schools have over the rights of young people to receive science based sex and relationship education."

A statement from the Scottish Government said: "Through the delivery of RSHP [relationships, sexual health and parenthood education], all children and young people are encouraged to understand the importance of consent, dignity and respect for themselves and the views of others."

The Catholic Church said its schools offer a "comprehensive programme of relationships and moral education...that promotes the unique dignity of each person, made in the image and likeness of God".

The statement added: "All relationships within Catholic schools are founded on principles of mutual respect and, like all schools in Scotland, there is zero tolerance of discrimination of any kind."

A Monthly Gift Of $11 Makes A World Of Difference

In a world of fake news there’s never been a greater need for quality Christian journalism. Premier’s mission is to provide the Church with the most up to date and relevant news, told from a Christian perspective. But we can’t do it without you.

Unlike many websites we haven't put up a paywall — we want to keep our journalism free at the point of need and as open as we can. Premier’s news output takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. No one in the USA is sharing news like we are across radio, magazines and online so please help us to continue that today.

For a monthly gift of $11 or more we’d also be able to send you a free copy of the brand new Premier Bible, a wonderful Anglicised version of the NLT packed with exclusive bonus content, reading plan and resources to help you get the most out of scripture.

Your monthly support will make a world of difference. Thank you.

Support Us
Continue the conversation on our Facebook page

Related Articles

Sign up to our newsletter to stay informed with news from a Christian perspective.

News by email

Connect

Donate

Donate