Students will begin learning about sex, gender issues, and consent as the curriculum rolls out this September.
French Education Minister Announces New Curriculum for Sex Education After 25-Year Wait
French Education Minister Announces New Curriculum for Sex Education After 25-Year Wait
Finally, French Schools Set to Introduce Comprehensive Sex Education Curriculum.
The time has finally come for French students to receive formal education on sex, gender stereotypes, and consent. After a lengthy 25 years since the legislation mandating sex education was enacted, the French government has officially established and approved a curriculum that aims to equip students with essential knowledge in these areas. This initiative includes a detailed plan for teacher training and the provision of educational materials.
Sarah Durocher, president of Le Planning Familial—a French nonprofit similar to Planned Parenthood—expressed her relief, stating, “We have been waiting 25 years for this.” This implementation follows a lawsuit filed in 2023 by Le Planning Familial and two other organizations against the government for its failure to uphold the law. While the legal proceedings surrounding this lawsuit are ongoing, the government has moved forward with the curriculum despite substantial opposition. Critics, including over 100 senators from the conservative party Les Républicains, have labeled the program as “ideological brainwashing,” advocating for the removal of any references to “gender identity” from the curriculum.
In defense of the initiative, Elizabeth Borne, the education minister, deemed the new program “absolutely essential.” She cited alarming data from an independent study revealing that a child in France is sexually abused every three minutes, typically by a male family member. Borne emphasized the need for comprehensive sex education, given that many children currently obtain their understanding of sexual matters through online pornography rather than credible and responsible education sources.
Sarah Durocher, president of Le Planning Familial—a French nonprofit similar to Planned Parenthood—expressed her relief, stating, “We have been waiting 25 years for this.” This implementation follows a lawsuit filed in 2023 by Le Planning Familial and two other organizations against the government for its failure to uphold the law. While the legal proceedings surrounding this lawsuit are ongoing, the government has moved forward with the curriculum despite substantial opposition. Critics, including over 100 senators from the conservative party Les Républicains, have labeled the program as “ideological brainwashing,” advocating for the removal of any references to “gender identity” from the curriculum.
In defense of the initiative, Elizabeth Borne, the education minister, deemed the new program “absolutely essential.” She cited alarming data from an independent study revealing that a child in France is sexually abused every three minutes, typically by a male family member. Borne emphasized the need for comprehensive sex education, given that many children currently obtain their understanding of sexual matters through online pornography rather than credible and responsible education sources.
