As the US rolls back the rights of LGBTQ+ children at school, France is poised to implement a significant overhaul of its sex education curriculum, introducing lessons on gender equality and consent in both public and private schools, with the initiative beginning as early as four years of age. The initiative, announced by French Education Minister Elisabeth Borne, is part of a broader effort to address sexual violence and promote respect in interpersonal relationships.
In an interview with France Inter, Borne underscored the necessity of educating young individuals about love, relationships, and sexuality, stating, “Education about love, about relationships and sexuality is absolutely essential.” This revised curriculum is set to be introduced after the upcoming summer holidays, mandating that schools conduct three sex education sessions annually at the primary, middle, and secondary levels.
The programme, as reported by Hear Her Stories, will ensure that even lessons for four-year-olds are handled with sensitivity. These early sessions will focus on teaching scientific terms for genitalia along with age-appropriate discussions regarding equality and consent. Borne has indicated that the materials will be carefully curated to match the maturity levels of students, incorporating interactive activities like role-play to facilitate understanding. For instance, young children will engage in exercises that help them articulate questions such as, “Can I hold your hand?” to familiarize them with the concept that it is perfectly acceptable to decline such advances.
As students progress to older age groups, the syllabus will encompass more complex discussions. By the age of 13, pupils will differentiate between biological sex, gender, and sexual orientation. At 14, topics will begin to explore the intricacies of sexuality, including pleasure, love, and reproduction. By age 16, students will delve into biological differences between genders while investigating how these distinctions do not dictate self-expression, roles, or behaviours.
Borne has assured parents that this approach to school-based sex education will complement, rather than replace, familial discussions about these essential topics. The proposed curriculum is now awaiting approval from France’s Higher Education Council.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250123-france-to-introduce-new-sex-education-guidelines-in-schools – This article supports the claim that France is overhauling its sex education curriculum, with Education Minister Elisabeth Borne spearheading the effort to address sexual violence and promote respect in interpersonal relationships.
- https://www.canadianaffairs.news/2025/01/24/france-to-introduce-new-sex-education-guidelines-in-schools – This source corroborates the introduction of new sex education guidelines in French schools, including the requirement for three annual sessions across different educational levels.
- https://gayexpress.co.nz/2025/01/new-french-curriculum-to-teach-gender-equality-from-age-four – This article confirms that the new curriculum will teach gender equality and consent from age four, aligning with the broader initiative to address gender-based issues.
- https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250123-france-to-introduce-new-sex-education-guidelines-in-schools – This source provides context on the quotation from Elisabeth Borne about the necessity of educating young individuals about love, relationships, and sexuality.
- https://www.canadianaffairs.news/2025/01/24/france-to-introduce-new-sex-education-guidelines-in-schools – This article supports the claim that the revised curriculum will be implemented after the summer holidays and will include mandatory sex education sessions.
- https://gayexpress.co.nz/2025/01/new-french-curriculum-to-teach-gender-equality-from-age-four – This source highlights the focus on gender equality and consent in the new curriculum, starting from a young age.
- https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250123-france-to-introduce-new-sex-education-guidelines-in-schools – This article discusses the controversy surrounding the inclusion of gender identity in the curriculum, which aligns with the broader initiative to address complex topics.
- https://www.canadianaffairs.news/2025/01/24/france-to-introduce-new-sex-education-guidelines-in-schools – This source provides additional details on the structure of the new curriculum, emphasizing its comprehensive approach across different age groups.
- https://gayexpress.co.nz/2025/01/new-french-curriculum-to-teach-gender-equality-from-age-four – This article supports the claim that the curriculum will be age-appropriate and will include discussions on biological sex, gender, and sexual orientation as students progress.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative is recent, dated 2025, and discusses an ongoing initiative, indicating it is not old or recycled news.
Quotes check
Score:
8
Notes:
The quote from French Education Minister Elisabeth Borne could not be verified as the earliest known reference online, but it aligns with her role and recent initiatives.
Source reliability
Score:
6
Notes:
The narrative originates from Gay Express, which is not as widely recognized as major news outlets like BBC or Reuters, but it reports on specific community issues.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims about introducing gender equality lessons in French schools are plausible given recent global trends in education and gender equality initiatives.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative appears to be fresh and plausible, discussing a recent educational initiative in France. While the source reliability is moderate, the information aligns with current trends in education. The quote from Elisabeth Borne could not be verified as the earliest source, but it is consistent with her role.
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