Sex education 'U-turn' set to be debated by MPs

The government bill would make sex and relationship lessons compulsory in schools in England from 2011. But a coalition of unions, charities and religious groups says a late government amendment would allow faith schools to choose how they taught it. The government has denied it could result in a rise in homophobia.

'Extensive lobbying' Under the plans, all schools are to be required to teach children aged seven to 11 about relationships including marriage, same sex and civil partnerships, divorce and separation under Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education.

Secondary school pupils are to learn about sexual activity, reproduction, contraception as well as same sex relationships.The Children, Schools and Families Bill states that subject is to be taught in a way that promotes equality, accepts diversity and emphasises both rights and responsibilities. And this requirement could have been problematic for schools governed by religions that are specifically opposed to homosexuality and contraception.

In a statement on its website, the Catholic Education Service says the amendment, which was tabled by Schools Secretary Ed Balls, was secured after a period of "extensive lobbying". But Liberal Democrat Children's spokesman David Laws said the amendment was "a serious and undesirable U-turn".

The Accord Coalition - which calls for an end to what it sees as religious discrimination in school staffing and admissions - and the British Humanist Association are among those who have criticised the amendment. Chief executive of the British Humanist Association Andrew Copson said the amendment effectively gave a licence to faith schools to teach sex and relationships educations in ways that were homophobic, gender discriminatory and violated principles of human rights.