Responses published to draft Guidance on the Conduct of Relationships, Sexual Health and Parenthood Education in Scottish Schools

Date: 8th May 2014
Category: Education, Leisure and Cultural Activities

Responses to the engagement on the refreshed Guidance on the Conduct of Relationships, Sexual Health and Parenthood Education in Scottish Schools (which ended on 8th November 2013) have been published.

The responses are currently being considered by the Scottish Government with other available evidence to help finalise a version of this guidance for local authorities and schools, expected in June 2014. Sixty responses were received in total, but 8 are not included as permission was not received to make them public.

Scotland's Commissioner for Children and Young People, Tam Baillie, responded to the consultation highlighting disappointment that children's rights under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) received such little attention in the draft guidance. His response reflects on the specific Articles and provisions and concepts within the UNCRC which are relevant to this topic and the effects of the omission of children's rights analysis.

The Scottish Human Rights Commission response recommends that the provision of effective sexual health education is an essential element of realising the right to education (Article 28 of the UNCRC) and the right to the highest attainable standard of health (Article 24 of the UNCRC). It further states that monitoring and accountability in delivering high quality sexual health and relationship education should be strengthened and the Draft Guidance should be revised in order that it is clearly and explicitly framed in a manner consistent with a contemporary understanding of human rights.

• Access the responses here.