§ Lembit ÖpikTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what measures his Department is taking to ensure that young people receive clear and accurate information in schools to enable them to make informed choices about their sexual health; and if he will make a statement. [171171]
§ Margaret HodgeTeaching about sexual health and safer sex are key elements of the Government's sexual health strategy and are covered by our Sex and Relationship Education (SRE) guidance, which was sent to all schools in July 2000. All maintained secondary schools have a statutory responsibility to teach SRE. Through SRE pupils learn about sexual health, contraception and the range of advice and support services which are available. Young people should be made aware of the risks of contracting sexually transmitted infections and know about prevention, diagnosis and treatment. In addition, we have made a new resource on 'Teaching and Learning about HIV' available to all schools.