THE row that has broken out over recent weeks about sex education is ridiculous. Lessons about personal, social and health matters, including sex and relationships, will be compulsory in all England s schools from ages five to 16. I know I m bound to incu

THE row that has broken out over recent weeks about sex education is ridiculous.

Lessons about personal, social and health matters, including sex and relationships, will be compulsory in all England's schools from ages five to 16.

I know I'm bound to incur the wrath of those blinkered individuals who are horrified by the news, but I think it's a brilliant idea. It's just a pity it wasn't made compulsory sooner.

People should stop getting their knickers in a twist. Five-year-old children will not be taught how to have sex. They will be taught some of the basics of relationships and anatomy, such as the correct names for body parts. It's the same principle as children being taught the alphabet in preparation for learning to read and write. Children will be taught the very basics, in readiness to build on this knowledge as they move up their school.

Compulsory sex education ensures children are given the same, correct information in an environment where questions are encouraged.

It does not mean that parents are denied the right to teach their children sex education - it provides the opportunity for parents to work with teachers and reinforce their children's learning in school.

I think those parents who request that their children are removed from sex education lessons are wrong to do so and will be putting their children at a disadvantage.

Unless those parents then teach their children everything they would have learned in the classroom at home, their children will end up gaining their knowledge through Chinese whispers in the playground.

As children get older and sex education progresses, it must be balanced and it must reflect the realities of society. It should therefore include homosexuality, and teaching marriage as the basis for family life should be resisted.

While it is no doubt the ideal, it is not the reality for many families in today's society and will not reflect the home life of many children subject to these lessons.

Ultimately, I think teachers should be applauded and supported for their proactive approach to this subject.