U.K. - Parliament to debate faith schools 'opt-out' on sex education

Ed Balls today denied offering faith schools an opt-out from new rules forcing teachers to address issues such as homosexual equality and contraception in sex education lessons.

Speaking on the Radio 4 Today Programme this morning, the schools secretary said that Children, Schools and Families Bill which has its Report Stage and Third Reading in the House of Commons today would introduce an "overdue and radical change" and that a controversial amendment tabled by the government earlier this month would not "water down" the plans.

A last minute amendment tabled to the Bill however, tabled by Balls, has alarm equality campaigners, allowing faith schools to teach such issues in a way that 'reflects their religious character'.

Rabbi Dr Jonathan Romain, chair of the Accord Coalition which campaigns for reform of faith schools, and of which Ekklesia is a founder member said: “It is precisely because this is such an enlightened and progressive Bill that we are astonished and saddened by the fact that [Mr Balls] has now chosen to amend his own Bill and to effectively give faith schools an opt-out.

“If a school doesn't approve of contraception or abortion or homosexuality, then it can give that message or it can omit certain facts. We know there are some faith schools which take a very negative view.

Full story: http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/11336