Birds, bees to be taught at all British schools

In the United States, which lacks a national curriculum, the decision to offer sex education is left to individual states and districts. In recent years, however, the federal government has funded programs promoting sexual abstinence. The abstinence programs are favored by religious conservatives.

The topic has even made it into the U.S. presidential election campaign.

John McCain accused Barack Obama of being bad for families, saying he supports sex education for kindergartners. The legislation that Obama supported in the Illinois Senate would have required information deemed age appropriate, and Obama has said that meant warning young children about sexual predators.

In China, students generally begin sex education in middle school, but the curriculum is basic. In India, where more than 2.5 million people are infected with the virus that causes AIDS, basic sex education in schools has been offered since the late 1980's but six of India's largest states banned the basic programs, saying they would corrupt the young. The government is now piloting a watered-down sex education version that does not address topics like teenage pregnancy or masturbation. Diagrams and illustrations have also been removed.

Peru is implementing a pilot sexual education program this year with 146 public schools that begins teaching students sexual reproduction at the age of 11 and birth control at 14. It will be adopted nation-wide next year.

"Statutory (sex ed) is absolutely crucial in reducing teenage pregnancy, particularly for vulnerable young people, but all children and young people need equipping with the skills and knowledge to help manage their lives," said Frances, chairman of the Teenage Pregnancy Independent Advisory Group.

'I welcome the help'
Supporters of the government's plan say they hope the new lessons give kids information that may be eluding them now.

"When parents fail to educate their kids properly, the government has every right to step in," said Gayla Coil, a Londoner and mother to two kids ages 13 and 10. "Me, I welcome the help."

Knight said teachers would get special training and that schools would "ensure there is flexibility for schools to tailor lessons to reflect the values and beliefs of the parents and communities they serve." Schools will be expected to implement the new curriculum by 2010.

Teachers will likely have mixed feelings about the change, said Nansi Ellis, head of education policy for the Association of Teachers and Lecturers, a union.

"Some teachers will be uncomfortable with teaching this to very young children," she said. "But it's a really important part of children learning. Learning isn't just about academic achievements but the development of the whole person."

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