CYP Now - Lack of compulsory sex education causing surge in STI rates, councils warn

Councils have warned that increasing levels of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in young people is linked to a lack of good-quality sex and relationship education (SRE) in schools, claiming that making the subject statutory will help address the issue.

The Local Government Association (LGA) said that, in the absence of quality SRE lessons, too many pupils are leaving school lacking crucial knowledge about the risks of picking up a STI.

Most recent Public Health England figures show that there were 78,066 new STI cases among 15- to 19-year-olds in 2015, with the number rising to 141,060 for 20- to 24-year-olds. The LGA says the rise in cases needs to be recognised as a "major health protection issue", adding that it could be tackled through SRE in schools.

Currently SRE is compulsory in council-maintained secondary schools but not academies or free schools. In addition to compulsory SRE, the LGA wants to see ministers bring in statutory guidance for teachers covering sexual health and give parents the right to opt-out of such lessons.

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