France: In September 2025, sex education will be made mandatory in French schools to give students a complete and age-specific education. The new curriculum will cover a broad subject with multiple topics suitable for different ages to give an all-around education.
According to RFI reports, Primary school students will learn about emotions, body awareness, and non-traditional family structures. Students in middle school will study gender stereotypes, puberty, and the dangers of internet pornography. High school students will engage in discussions on consent, gender identity, and self-image, as well as combating discrimination.
Education Minister Elisabeth Borne emphasised the necessity of these lessons, stating, “Education about love, relationships, and sexuality is absolutely essential.” The program aims to equip students with the tools to engage in relationships responsibly and combat such issues as sexual violence and online exploitation.
While the inclusion of subjects such as gender identity was controversial at first, the curriculum has since been updated to express a compromise of progressive and conservative perspectives. According to the media reports, as French schools introduce this new way, they seek to equip students with an education that is more than just academic. The program will be closely monitored as a model for adding necessary life skills to conventional education.
