Letter: Education for love

Sir: The moral muddles of the Government ("A wise government does not try and tell people how to live their lives", 2 December) emphasise the problems facing education. It is not sufficient to "brainwash" pupils to be crafty enough to use condoms, as is apparently the case in Europe, so that our neighbours can be looked upon as teaching good sex education because they have a lower teenage birth rate.

Rather, let us be guided by the standards set by teenagers if they are given plenty of high-status discussion group opportunities for the purpose of deep reflection and sharing feelings about personal issues.

It is salutary to witness the teaching and healing they give each other, albeit unconsciously. During this "therapy," their innate morality throws up "best ideas" for living - which they are collectively comfortable with. Time and again they claim that one of their "best values" is a long and deeply committed relationship.

One ex-pupil said, "Outside the group, conversation is just obscene junk. Boys know nothing of feminine problems and pain, until these issues are raised with girls present."

Now that's what I call sex education - only my students called it "love education".

ROBERT K McKECHNIE

Sidmouth, Devon