CYP Now - NCB NOW: Comment - PSHE is about far more than teenage pregnancy

On 30 January the Government published its response to the second annual report of the Independent Advisory Group on Teenage Pregnancy - the group established in 2000 to monitor the government's strategy to reduce teenage pregnancy.

The response contained a great deal to be welcomed, including a continuing commitment to tackling teenage pregnancy. Disappointingly, though, while the Government recognised the value of Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE), it did not accept the group's recommendation to make the subject compulsory in schools.

So what is PSHE, and why does it matter? Firstly, PSHE is not just about sex and relationships, or drug education. It is about providing the social and emotional support children need in order to build their self-confidence and make decisions which are right for them.

It goes beyond the specific aim of reducing teenage pregnancy to address the issues which cause many young people difficulties and unhappiness, from low self-esteem to poor communication skills.

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