HL Deb 24 October 2001 vol 627 cc135-6WA
Lord Northbourne

asked Her Majesty's Government:

With reference to the new personal, social and health education and citizenship curriculum—

  1. (a) why there is no mention of the civic responsibilities of both fathers and mothers in relation to the parenting of their children;
  2. (b) whether they will issue guidelines to schools which will clarify the rights, duties and responsibilities of mothers and fathers respectively towards their children; and
  3. (c) whether they will provide schools with research evidence about the ways in which the actions and omissions of parents may affect the life chances of their children. [HL861]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Education and Skills (Baroness Ashton of Upholland)

Our framework for personal, social and health education for all key stages and citizenship at key stages 1 and 2 recognises that in-school provision should complement the personal and social development of pupils provided at home. Opportunities exist within the framework, under the heading "Developing good relationships and respecting the differences between people", for pupils to be taught for example:

  1. (a) at key stage 2, about the different types of relationships, including marriage and those between friends and families, and to develop the skills to be effective in relationships;
  2. (b) at key stage 3, about the role and feelings of parents and carers and the value of family life; and
  3. (c) at key stage 4, about the nature and importance of marriage for family life and bringing up children as well as the role and responsibilities of a parent, and the qualities of good parenting and its value to family life.

Our framework refers to "parents" and therefore applies equally to both fathers and mothers. We believe our framework provides teachers with the flexibility to discuss the issues the noble Lord raises. We rely on teachers' professionalism to choose appropriate materials to support their teaching.