Schools "encouraging "underage sex

by Kathleen Nutt and Julia Belgutay
www.timesonline.co.uk

SCHOOLS have been criticised for encouraging underage sex by giving pupils free condoms.

Teenagers at secondary schools in Edinburgh and West Lothian have received the contraceptives, in a bid to curb unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases.

But parent groups and education campaigners say that the scheme encourages youngsters to have sex.

Broughton High School, in Edinburgh, North Berwick High School in East Lothian, Newbattle High School, in Midlothian and West Calder High School in West Lothian have given out contraceptives.

NHS Lothian was unable to say what age the pupils were who had received the contraceptives and whether they were over 16. The schools sexual health clinics also offer pregnancy tests and testing for sexually transmitted diseases.

Free condoms have also been handed out to pupils at Sandwick Junior High School in Shetland under a one-year pilot scheme which is set to be extended to the seven other secondaries on the islands.

A spokesman for Shetland Isles' schools said that parents' permission is not required if the pupils are aged over 16. He said that it was "extremely rare" for underage pupils to receive condoms.

Some school nurses in secondary schools in the Borders have also obtained permission to give out free contraceptives to pupils.

However, the local authority does not keep information on how many contraceptives have been issued.

"Handing out free contraceptives to school children simply encourages teenage sexual activity," said Nick Seaton, chairman of the Campaign for Real Education. "It is extremely worrying that condoms are being given out to pupils without the permission of their parents."

Stan Martin, one of the founders of Parents for Consultation, a group that wants parents to have more influence over sex education in schools, said: "Initiatives like these just sexualise children at an earlier and earlier age."

Scotland has one of the worst teenage pregnancy records in the world, with almost 30% of girls aged between 15 and 19 giving birth. In a league table of teenage pregnancy rates, produced by the children’s charity Bernardo, Scotland was 28th out of 31 countries. Only America, Mexico and Turkey had more teenage mothers.

Last year The Sunday Times reported that almost 5,000 underage girls, some as young as 11, were being prescribed the contraceptive pill.

Figures published last year revealed the number of cases of the sexually transmitted disease chlamydia rose by 4% cent, to 17,926. More than 70% of the patients suffering from the disease, which can cause infertility, were aged under 25.

Jim Reyner, quality improvement manager at Shetland Isles' schools service, said: "From our perspective we would rather condoms were available than kids were left ignorant. They are issued responsibly."

If any child under 16 asked for a condom, parents and child protection staff would be informed, he said.

A spokesman for Scottish Borders council said: "Contraceptives could be given out by school nurses in the drop-in sessions, but it is a private matter between the pupil and the school nurse. The sessions are confidential and designed to discuss all health issues."

Shona Robison, the public health minister, said: "It is important for local agencies to provide high-quality, consistent information in a range of settings. This includes easily accessible drop-in services, staffed by health professionals and youth workers, services we know young people respond well to.

"How these services are delivered is a decision for local health boards and local authorities to make in partnership with their sexual health strategy groups."