School pupils, condoms and pregnancy tests

Photo: the Scotsman

SIXTY thousand Scots pupils are to be given access to sexual health services in school, allowing children as young as 13 to receive condoms and pregnancy tests.
Ministers have approved the creation of clinics for all rural secondary schools in Scotland after the SNP Government accepted expert advice that many teenagers in country areas struggle to visit GPs or family planning clinics.

The unprecedented move is part of a bid to tackle Scotland's high rate of sexually-transmitted diseases and pregnancy among teenagers.

The Scotsman: read on....

Commenting on the intentions the Christian Institute report:

Thousands of Scottish children will soon be able to access free condoms and pregnancy tests at school without their parents’ knowledge.

Scottish Ministers have approved the scheme which will see sexual health clinics opening in Scotland’s rural secondary schools.

Critics say this is a misguided attempt to tackle the country’s high rates of teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections.

Teenagers as young as 13 could be given contraception, pregnancy tests and advice at the clinics without their parents being informed, unless nurses believe they are being exploited or abused.

A Government spokesman said: “We would anticipate that these services would be available to the whole school population, although this would be determined by local consultation.

Read on....

Christians Together, 10/09/2008