The government was sharply criticised today by the Libdems for “pandering to homophobia” by allowing faith schools to avoid sex and relationship education if they so wanted.

The British Humanist Association, Children’s Rights Alliance for England and the Accord Coalition have also condemned the Government amendment to its own Children, Schools and Families Bill, describing it as “discriminatory”.

They urged people to write to their MP expressing their anger.

An amendment to the Government’s Children, Schools and Families Bill that would allow faith schools to teach sex education “in a way that reflects the school’s religious character”.

Liberal Democrat Shadow Schools Secretary, David Laws said:

The Government has already given an opt-out from sex and relationship education up to age 15. This looks like it will further water down the information which all young people should be entitled to before they reach the age of consent. State funded schools should not be free to put their own spin on sex and relationship education.

The Government should not pander in any way either to homophobia or to those who want young people kept in the dark when they are already exposed to these issues through the media well before the age of 16.

The amendment has been described by the Accord Coalition as looking “like a 21st century Section 28″.

The Catholic Education Service is openly claiming victory on its website in forcing the amendment from the government, but campaigners say that the u-turn will damage the health and well being of many young people.

You can write to your MP using the BHA system urging them to oppose the amendment when it is debated Tuesday (23rd February).

LC editor Sunny Hundal is a supporter of the Accord Coalition.

Today the Green Party voted for equality in civil partnerships or marriage for couples of same or opposite sex.

Update: Ben Cooper informs us that the government has responded:

Let’s be absolutely clear, faith schools cannot opt out of statutory PSHE and SRE lessons when it comes into effect in September 2011. All maintained schools and academies will be required to teach the full programmes of study in line with the principles outlined in the Bill including promoting equality and encouraging acceptance of diversity.

Schools with a religious character will be free, as they are now, to express the views of their faith and reflect the ethos of their school, but what they cannot do is suggest that their views are the only ones.
…
This amendment is designed to clarify the position of faith schools. It does not diminish or detract from the over-arching principles set out in Clause 11, which all schools must comply with. Rather it makes clear that faith schools can teach their faith’s view on issues that arise within the teaching of PSHE. What they cannot do is suggest that their views are the only valid ones, and must make clear that there are a wide range of divergent views.

Reader comments

1. sunny hundal

   Government slammed for "pandering to homophobia" on faith schools u-turn: http://bit.ly/d25cpw (@BHAnews)

2. Nick Thornsby

   Government slammed for "pandering to homophobia" on faith schools u-turn: http://bit.ly/d25cpw (@BHAnews) /via @pickledpolitics

3. Sam Bumby

   The 'joys' of faith schools http://tinyurl.com/yb98gcc read my opinions on private schools and the Tory policy: http://tinyurl.com/yzxpc67

4. Liberal Conspiracy

   Government slammed for "pandering to homophobia" http://bit.ly/d25cpw

5. Ben Cooper

   RT @libcon: Government slammed for "pandering to homophobia" http://bit.ly/d25cpw @LGBTLabour & @EdBallsMP have already replied to this!

6. superbrutal

   RT @libcon: Government slammed for "pandering to homophobia" http://bit.ly/d25cpw

7. Phil Hatchard

   Ed Balls' Sex & Relationship Education plans watered down to allow room for faith schools to opt out. http://bit.ly/d5Y8lh #fb

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