Education is fully devolved to Scotland and as such we, the SNP, do not get involved in English issues in the House of Commons. I do however, share your view that relationship and sex education is essential to fostering respect and empathy toward others.
I am happy to say that the Scottish Government is leading the way on this issue. Scotland will be the first country in the world to have LGBTI education embedded in the curriculum. Themes will include aspects such as LGBTI terminology and tackling homophobia, biphobia and transphobia.
All schools are also expected to provide sex education lessons. Such lessons should present facts in an objective, balanced and sensitive manner, whilst taking account of a pupil’s age and working collaboratively with parents.
The Scottish Governments ‘Curriculum for Excellence’ provides significant flexibility, within broad national guidelines, for teachers to develop lessons and approaches which best meet the needs of individual learners.
The Scottish Government Equality Budget has provided funding of £300,000 to LGBT Youth Scotland and £200,000 to the Scottish Trans Alliance in 2017
These changes, among others, have seen Scotland be named the best country in Europe for LGBTI legal equality.
The Equality Act 2010 is still reserved to Westminster however, and until it is devolved we will continue to call for it to strengthen equality laws.
