France’s sex education overhaul to include consent and gender identity

Under France's sex education reforms, primary school lessons will focus on emotions, body awareness and family structures, while middle and high school students will cover topics such as puberty, consent and sexual health.

French schools will introduce mandatory sex education classes covering topics such as consent, gender identity and online pornography from September, despite opposition from conservative groups.

However the reforms reduce discussion of gender identity and delay it until high school following backlash that gathered more than 80,000 petition signatures.

The latest version of the curriculum will be presented on Wednesday to the Higher Education Council (CSE), which includes representatives from teachers' unions and parent associations.

Though French law has required schools to provide three sex education sessions annually since 2001, this requirement has rarely been enforced.

Age-adapted programme

"Education about love, about relationships and sexuality is absolutely essential," Education Minister Elisabeth Borne told France Inter. "The programme is very careful to provide quality information that is adapted to a pupil's age."

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The curriculum takes a staged approach. Primary school lessons will focus on emotions, body awareness and family structures, while middle and high school students will cover topics such as puberty, consent and sexual health.

For young children in primary school, lessons will focus on emotions and the basics of consent. Students will learn about personal boundaries through everyday scenarios, such as asking permission before sitting next to someone.

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