A Conservative MP has called on the Government to produce stronger guidance to end the “plethora of deeply inappropriate” Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) materials being used in schools.
Miriam Cates, a Christian, explained that when RSE was made compulsory in secondary schools from September 2020, it “opened the floodgates” to external organisations providing resources on the issue. The Christian Institute warned at the time that the reforms could lead to the sex education industry, which promotes explicit materials, having much greater influence.
The former biology teacher said: “Now, children across the country are being exposed to a plethora of deeply inappropriate, wildly inaccurate, sexually explicit and damaging materials in the name of sex education.”
Unsuitable for broadcast
Speaking to the BBC, Cates said the Government needs to “think much more carefully about what is developmentally appropriate for children and to really crack down on some of these external organisations”.
They are not suitable to be read out on your programme.
When asked for examples, she explained: “I can’t actually tell you about it, because of your broadcast rules. They are not suitable to be read out on your programme and I think that’s the problem because they are given to young children”.
"I can't actually tell you about it, because of your broadcast rules"
New sex education guidelines are opening doors to "age inappropriate" and "extreme" content being taught in schools, says Conservative MP Miriam Cates
https://t.co/pObYZuhkZO #PoliticsLive pic.twitter.com/T5tsis12ug— BBC Politics (@BBCPolitics) June 30, 2022
But during a later Westminster Hall debate, she did highlight examples to MPs such as a dice game teaching children of 13 and over about explicit sex acts, and guidance pushing children to read erotic works “while looking up Dominance and Submission”.
Cates also raised concerns about resources for primary school-aged children, citing a mother from her constituency who approached her after her six-year-old child was taught about masturbation.
‘Indoctrination’
On schools promoting radical transgender ideology the MP for Penistone and Stocksbridge told colleagues: “it is not compassionate, wise, or legal to teach children that contested ideologies are facts. That is indoctrination, and it is becoming evident that that has some concerning consequences.”
Former veteran BBC presenter Dame Jenni Murray echoed the MP’s concerns, calling such instances “outrageous”.
Speaking to GB News about gender ideology in education, Dame Jenni said: “Our children are being taught things that have no basis in fact that’s what’s really scary.”
Parents
Last month, members of the House of Lords stressed that outside organisations that deliver RSE should not be ‘hiding’ their resources from parents.
During a House of Lords debate on the Schools Bill, Peers complained that parents were being denied the right to know what was being taught in RSE at their child’s school.
The Government promised to consider further the issue, but refused to support an amendment to ensure parents could view all school curriculum material.
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