Brit kids as young as five to get sex education

London, Oct 23 : Brit kids as young as five will be given sex education under the Government's move to cut the increasing rates of teenage pregnancy and sexually-transmitted diseases.

The students will be given basic classes in the first few primary school years and later will get more structured lessons about reproduction and relationships, a major review will recommend.

At secondary level, the government suggests that schools should improve the way issues such as civil partnerships and the importance of marriage is taught.

The teachers will also receive special training on delivering lessons as many are embarrassed to discuss sex in the classroom.

However, family campaigners are condemning the move, accusing ministers of subjecting pupils to controversial issues before they are ready.

Jim Knight, the Schools Minister claims that exposure to sex education before puberty reduced teenage pregnancy rates.

"It is important that we as a society allow better sex and relationship education in both primary and secondary schools without sexualising young people too early," the Telegraph quoted him, as saying.

"It is right to share the responsibility between home and school," he added.

At present, all primary and secondary pupils learn about the biology of reproduction in science.

He also suggest that in primary schools, pupils should learn about how animals and humans reproduce, but can limit lessons to the biology curriculum.

Schools can also cover the subject in personal, social and health education, although it is not a compulsory part of the National Curriculum.

In secondary schools covering issues such as relationships and sexually transmitted diseases must be covered.

However, Norman Wells, director of the Family Education Trust, said making sex education mandatory would "seriously undermine parents".

ANI