Demand HIV Education in Schools

posted: 15/07/2009

It's time to speak up for all children and young people's right to HIV information and other sex and relationship education in schools. Should Sex and Relationships Education (including information on HIV, sexuality, discrimination and harassment) be made compulsory in all schools?

The deadline is just days away (Friday 24 July) and it seems most  of the responses so far are from churches and schools which are strongly opposed to this. NAT (National AIDS Trust) are asking you to help - all it takes is an email of your answers to the key questions.

The Department for Children, Schools and Families is consulting the public about whether Personal, Social, Health and Economic education (PSHE), including Sex and Relationships Education (SRE), should be made a compulsory part of the National Curriculum.

NAT thinks that this is long overdue. Young people have a right to learn about HIV, and how to protect their sexual health. However, this is not just a sexual health issue, young people also need to be taught about social issues such as discrimination.

It is really important that as many organisations and individuals as possible respond to this consultation to show the Government that young people have a right to this education. There has been substantial lobbying against these proposals, therefore your response is absolutely vital.

Please take 10 minutes to answer this form - here's some hints

Please fill in this consultation form (in Word, rtf version below), and ask your colleagues and friends to do the same. It is in multiple choice form, and should only take ten minutes; if you are unclear or uncertain about any of the questions you can leave them blank. Please note that the consultation deadline is Friday 24 July.

The two most important questions are

• page 6, Section 1, 1st question 'PSHE education should become a statutory part of the National Curriculum'  - we strongly recommend Yes, and
• the next question 'Parents, carers and guardians should be allowed to maintain the right to withdraw their children from the sex and relationships element of PSHE education' - we strongly recommend No

Then please email your finished questionnaire,  

or post it to

Simon Watmough, Ipsos MORI House, 79-81 Borough Road, London, SE1 1FY

If you have any concerns or questions, please do not hesitate to contact Nicola Jacobs at NAT on 020 7814 6729, or by email 

Consultation questionnaire (Word version)

Consultation questionnaire (rtf version)

 

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