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TEACH: Centre wants to encourage schools to teach children about female genital mutilation (FGM)

PRIMARY SCHOOLS are being encouraged to help pupils change the world by teaching them about female genital mutilation when the new relationships and health education curriculum is introduced next year.

The topic is not compulsory for pupils until secondary school, but the National FGM Centre wants the issue to be talked about earlier because FGM most often takes place before a girl is 10 years old.

Run in partnership by Barnardo’s and the Local Government Association, the Centre says teaching children about FGM is beneficial for all schools in all communities because at the heart of it is teaching children about gender equality and human rights.

Schools play an important part in a child’s life including providing support and protecting girls at risk of harm.

Discussions around FGM is also about teaching children that their body belongs to them, functions of the anatomy and helping them to understand that no-one is allowed to do something to them that will harm them.

To help schools prepare to teach the subject, the centre has published guidance which is suitable for primary and secondary school teachers.

It explains the need for schools to engage with parents, carers and the communities the school serves. They should discuss what will be taught, address any concerns and help support parents in managing conversations with their children on the topic.

School should also ensure lessons are age appropriate and child-centred by framing the discussion around the wider issues of body rights and safeguarding and body image.

Head of the National FGM Centre, Leethen Bartholomew said: “Including FGM in the curriculum for Relationship and Sex Education lessons at secondary school is a welcome step forward but in many cases this is too late.

“While some may have reservations about children being taught about this issue at primary school, the work of the National FGM Centre has shown this can be done in a child-centred aged-appropriate way.

“By teaching primary school pupils about FGM we are empowering the next generation to speak up about the issue. But it’s not just down to the next generation to break the silence. Everyone, regardless of their community, gender or profession must be part of this conversation, so FGM become less of a hidden crime. As a society we need to reach our goal of ending FGM in this country by 2030.”

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