France to Implement Revamped Sexual Education Curriculum in Schools

The new program, set to begin in September, emphasizes consent, respect, and equality, but has faced criticism for concessions to political pressure.

The updated curriculum for education on life, relationships, and sexuality (Évars) will be reviewed by the Conseil Supérieur de l'Éducation today and, if approved, implemented in September 2025.
The program introduces age-appropriate content from early childhood to high school, focusing on consent, empathy, and combating sexual violence and discrimination.
Key topics include body awareness and respect in early education, puberty and online safety in primary school, and reproductive health and gender equality in secondary school.
Critics argue that concessions were made to appease conservative groups, with topics like diverse family structures and gender identity reduced or delayed in the curriculum.
The Ministry of Education faces challenges in training teachers and addressing potential parental pushback, including concerns over session notifications leading to student absences.