managing ict managing ict
Knowledge for life
David
poor self-image, substance misuse, and economic promised separate guidance where they can continue to
deprivation. Most girls becoming pregnant had mothers teach religious beliefs about sex. also, the government
Summers looks
who had also given birth at an early age, and some were has promised extra training for teachers who may feel
actively trying to get pregnant in response to a lack of anxious about teaching such sensitive topics.
family attachment. Teachers need to make sex and relationships
at the recent
Good life choices come with good education, yet education engaging, relevant and less embarrassing – if
currently secondary schools only have to teach the they feel embarrassed, this could relay onto students.
move to introduce
mechanics of sex in biology classes. They cover the The more comfortable students feel, the more confident
human reproductive cycle, including adolescence and they will be in making the right choices.
compulsory sex education
foetal development. however, this excludes anything although we do not want to scare students with
on relationships or sexual health. Teachers can choose disturbing descriptions of sexually transmitted diseases
to introduce this in PShe lessons, but this is not (STds) or pregnancy, shock tactics can work. education
and looks at using video
compulsory. does not stop at knowing how to make a child – it
Parents certainly have a role to play, but as with should extend to the hard work and commitment once
content to help teachers
so many sensitive subjects, sex is often not spoken it is born. It should also discuss the positive benefits of
about openly in families, and so it is important that the starting a family when the time is right, and the help
education system has a role. that is available with aftercare if a child should become
hen baby-faced alfie Sex education is a sensitive, complex subject to pregnant at school.
W
Patten recently became a dad teach, especially as some schools, particularly faith effective techniques will introduce students to the
at 13, it sent shockwaves schools, have differing beliefs that impact on the reality of parenthood while conveying the emotions
around the country. Surely inclusion of certain subject matter. and challenges involved in dealing with pregnancy and
he should be playing football One of the main reasons why it is often overlooked growing children.
or computer games – not is that although all might agree it should be taught, Some schools have invited young mothers in to
playing dad? not everyone agrees how. Sex education campaigners talk about their experiences, providing a real-life
The UK holds the highest teenage pregnancy rate argue that the more students know about the mechanics perspective. Other schools use baby simulators; replicas
in Western europe, and according to the World health of sex, the more responsible they will be. however, of babies just a few months old that are offered to older
Organisation, the second highest in the world. In any traditionalists argue that teaching students about family students for them to look after.
given year more than 40,000 teenage girls become values is more important. Some teachers are also Using education programming available on dVds
pregnant and choose to have their babies – and this is sceptical about the practicality of such lessons within a and websites within the classroom can prove helpful
on the rise. packed curriculum. – removing some of the responsibility from the teacher,
Official figures from the Office for national however, ministers are concerned that students may leaving them confident that the information presented is
Statistics show that there were 41.9 conceptions per pick up potentially harmful attitudes from inaccurate accurate, well researched and unbiased. They often draw
1,000 15 to 17-year-olds in 2007, compared to 40.9 the information they have received from friends, through on young people’s stories to provide the all important
year before in england and Wales, although this was the rumours, or on the internet. real-life view and include a peer mentoring element. Sex education is a sensitive topic to teach, but
first rise in seven years. a recent government review looked at how the Workshops are also ideal – an example of an activity help is at hand. With compulsory lessons in 2011 fast
Last year, a survey carried out by the youth subject is approached in schools. This was quick to could comprise producing a short advert on the dangers approaching, it has never been more important for
Parliament with more than 20,000 young people in recognise that sex education should form a compulsory of STds, which students could then present to their fellow schools to prepare for the sex talk. SecEd
england found that nearly half were not taught about part of the national curriculum, both in primary and classmates. The value of open chats in a comfortable
pregnancy at school. secondary schools. setting means informal lessons may be more effective • David Summers is editorial director of Channel 4
Social factors and issues also affect teen pregnancy by 2011, a new PShe curriculum will be in place that than whole-class teaching. The use of outside agencies Learning.
rates. In a review carried out in north east Lincolnshire, includes compulsory sex and relationships education, such as specialist nurses can also be of benefit.
which has a particularly high rate of teenage pregnancy, covering contraception and abortion, as well as better In terms of websites, Teachers TV has a good
Further information
poor sex education was not the only factor found to advice on the dangers of drugs and alcohol. faith relationships section where you can find a range of videos • Teachers TV: www.teachers.tv/relationships
be at play; other important aspects were local culture, schools will not be allowed to opt out, but have been and channel 4 has a sex and relationships advice centre. • channel 4: www.channel4.com/health/
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10 SecEd • July 2 2009
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