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National education

A new program of education on emotional, relational and sexual life

Publié le 12 février 2025 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

The first program of education on emotional and relational life, and sexuality proposed by the Ministry of National Education was published on February 6. Its implementation is scheduled for September 2025. Service-Public.fr informs you.

Sexuality education emerged with the law of 4 july 2001 on voluntary termination of pregnancy and contraception. The Code of Education states that "information and education on sexuality are provided in schools, colleges and high schools at the rate of at least three sessions per year and per age group".

This provision was not always applied. It is now supervised by a national programme adopted by the Higher Council of Education on January 30, 2025.

The common objectives of the program for all pupils are:

impart fundamental values, such as respect for oneself and others;
prevent discrimination;
promoting gender equality and combating stereotypes;
address violence and harassment by strengthening children’s ability to seek help.

FYI

In addition to the role of the parents of the pupils, this education is compulsory and is implemented in public and private schools under contract. Teachers will have to carry these lessons within a framework that can be interdisciplinary, with the educational, social and health personnel of the National Education.

In accordance with the law in force since 2001, the new program will include at least 3 sessions per year adapted to each age :

1^er degree (kindergarten and elementary): education in emotional and relational life;
2^nd degree (middle school and high school): education about emotional and relational life and sexuality.

Kindergarten and elementary school (first degree)

In 1^er degree, the program shall cover learning about emotional and relational life :

getting to know each other and their bodies;
improve well-being, encourage students to express themselves;
enable responsible choices;
respect others and live together through respect and empathy;
prevent gender-based violence.

College and high school (second degree)

The second-level themes are more complex, including biological notions of anatomy and reproduction, risk prevention, and human rights. The objectives common to middle and high school are:

to know, live and grow with one's body;
meet others and build relationships and thrive there;
be free and responsible to find one's place in business.

In middle school, the program will cover:

raising awareness of the importance of dialog with adults;
Raise awareness of the dangers of the internet, including exposure to inappropriate content;
understand consent, seek and express it, accept and respect a refusal, by analyzing fictitious situations.

In high school, the program will cover: