Labour’s plans to make sex education compulsory for children as young as five have been branded “ridiculous” on BBC’s Question time.
Columnist Cristina Odone also criticised the controversial ‘British values’ – which are currently being pushed by Ofsted inspectors in schools – by referring to her teachers who taught “real values, universal values”.
Addressing her fellow panellist, the shadow education secretary Tristram Hunt, she pondered what Ofsted inspectors would say about her teachers, who she described as being “absolutely dedicated” to their pupils.
Ridiculous
She said they did not care about “political correctness”, and did not cover sex education or ask about sexual values when pupils were five years old.
Odone then said sex education at such a young age was “one of the most ridiculous positions I’ve ever heard a shadow education secretary take”.
This week The Christian Institute criticised Labour’s plans to force sex education on primary schools if the Party wins the General Election.
Wrong solution
Simon Calvert, spokesman for the Institute, said: “We are all concerned about the sexualisation of young people, particularly with the influence of the internet and social media but Labour have landed on the wrong solution.
“For three decades the cry has been that we must have more sex education, of a more explicit nature, at an ever younger age – and look where it has got us.
“We should end the defeatism that says all children will inevitably be exposed to pornography and engage in underage sexual activity. It is a counsel of despair.”
Hunt made the announcement at a school in London, and said the proposals were part of a wider scheme to ‘eradicate homophobic bullying’.