Four mothers – representing more than 5,000 parents and grandparents – are suing the Welsh Government over a proposal to make Religious and Sex Education (RSE) lessons compulsory. MailOnline has more.
Ministers insist the new curriculum, which will also see themes of religion, sex and gender embedded in day-to-day teaching, is “developmentally appropriate” for children, but campaigners say the topics are “inappropriate” for primary pupils.
Kim Isherwood, 39, who chairs the campaign group Public Child Protection Wales, said: “It’s dangerous and it absolutely infuriates me. I’ve always fought for children’s rights, but they’re removing my right to protect.”
The mother-of-two from Port Talbot added: “This new curriculum is not like the stand-alone RSE lessons that pupils and parents are used to. The new mandatory element also means that every child, aged 3-16, must take part.
“It cannot be avoided by anyone and there are no rights for parents to request information on what will be taught, at what age, or to ask that their child sit out.”
The guidance includes the notion that pupils explore ‘sexual attraction’ and not just the biology of having sex.
It says: “Learners can explore how relationships, sex, gender, romantic and sexual attraction and personal experiences may shape and inform a person’s identity and individuality… [and] how and why attitudes have changed and are changing including towards gender and sexuality diversity.”
But Lucia Thomas, 41, said: “The very first time I heard anything about sex education coming in for children as young as three, my heart skipped a beat and my stomach churned.
“School is a place to learn about vital biology, learn how to develop relationships with both sexes and to develop respect. But, as parents, we believe what is happening here is the sexualisation of children, not their education.”
The parents have instructed international human rights barrister Paul Diamond to represent them and legal papers have been filed at the High Court in Cardiff.
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