Sex education guidance unveiled

Jack McConnell unveiled the guidance on Thursday

New guidance on sex education in Scottish schools has been published by ministers.

The move signals the final chapter in the law known as Section 28 - which prevented councils from promoting homosexuality.

The detailed guidance on sex education for schools was unveiled by Education Minister Jack McConnell on Thursday.

The issue sparked controversy

There is also be a separate leaflet for parents, which sets out to offer further reassurance.

Ministers promised this move before they finally repealed Section 28, which is due to be scrapped next week.

The guidance stresses the value of stable family life but urges teachers to consider those who come from different backgrounds.

Parents are also to have the right to be consulted in detail about the content of such education and can withdraw their children in exceptional circumstances if they're unhappy.

There are also special rules to allow Catholic schools to amend sex education.

Mr McConnell said: "The publication of these new materials fulfils the commitment made by Scottish Executive ministers last year.

Low key approach

"I am grateful to Learning Teaching Scotland for taking forward this process on our behalf.

"They have consulted widely about these documents and we have responded by improving and amending the documents and rewriting the Guide for Parents and Carers.

"I am sure that the new materials will be a welcome additional resource to teachers and schools as they develop their policies in this important area."

Ministers do not want a revival of the row which dogged their moves to scrap Section 28 (or section 2a as it is in Scotland) last year and have taken a low-key approach.

But the guidance will be scrutinised closely by critics who warned that repeal would be detrimental in schools.

The reform plans sparked an outcry last year and prompted a high profile Keep the Clause campaign.

Discriminatory law

Backed by Stagecoach millionaire Brian Souter, the group finally accepted defeat after the Scottish Parliament voted to scrap the law last June.

They voted by 99 to 17 with two abstentions to repeal the legislation.

Scottish Executive ministers insisted at the time that the law was discriminatory and should go.