Figures released today by the Health Protection Agency (HPS) have shown that rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) increased again in 2009, continuing the steady rise in STIs over the last decade. STIs were highest among young adults, with two thirds of new diagnoses in women under 25, and half of new STI diagnoses in men aged under 25.
Rabbi Dr Jonathan Romain, Chair of The Accord Coalition said, ‘at the moment the education system fails many children by requiring that they are only taught about the basic biological aspects of sex, contraception and sexually transmitted infections in secondary school Science lessons. It is little wonder therefore that the UK has growing rates of STIs and the highest teenage pregnancy rates in Western Europe.
‘Good age appropriate Sex and Relationships Education (SRE) seeks to do many things, including to give children the tools to be clear about personal boundaries, to resist pressure assertively, to seek help when they need it and to challenge misleading and inappropriate messages. However, it is also known to reduce unwanted pregnancies and the spread of sexually transmitted infections, and the HPA’s latest figures only reinforce the pressing need for better SRE in our schools.
‘Personal, Social, Health and Economic edcuation, which includes SRE, should be made compulsory throughout key stages one to four in all state maintained schools and the Government should use the opportunity provided by its forthcoming National Curriculum review to enact this.
‘Current SRE provision in the UK lags behind that of many developed countries and our failure to ensure that schools provide thorough, accurate and balanced SRE places our children’s health and wellbeing at risk. All children in all state maintained schools should have an entitlement to high standard SRE, regardless of which school they attend.’
Notes
The Accord Coalition was launched in September 2008 to bring together religious and non-religious organisations campaigning for an end to religious discrimination in school staffing and admissions. The coalition also campaigns for a fair and balanced RE curriculum, for pupils to receive Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education, the removal of the requirement for compulsory collective worship, but does not take a position for or against faith schools in principle. Its growing list of members and supporters include the British Humanist Association, the Christian think tank Ekklesia, the British Muslims for Secular Democracy, the Association of Teachers and Lecturers and members from all four of the largest groupings in parliament.
For further information on the Health Protection Agency’s 2009 sexual health figures visit: http://www.hpa.org.uk/Topics/InfectiousDiseases/InfectionsAZ/STIs/STIsAnnualData/
For further information, contact Paul Pettinger on 020 7462 4990.
