Teachers have condemned the use of anti-abortion lessons in secondary schools.

Teachers, along with family planning groups and humanists, have criticised anti-abortion groups for shocking children by using graphic, hard-hitting images. The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) is being invited to secondary schools across the country to talk to children about the issue of abortion, but the content of their sessions has been slammed. The pro-life group says that some of the material is shocking but claimed that the sessions tackle the issue of abortion in a ‘sensitive’ manner.

John Lloyd, from the Personal, Social and Health Education Association, said that schools must not be seen to be promoting political views and condemned the sessions run by the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children. Lloyd also said that he did not approve of “shock and horror approaches.” Julie Bentley, from the Family Planning Association, said that lessons were shocking for children and the pro-life group relied on “bullying” and “indoctrination”.

Paul Tulley, general secretary of the SPUC, defended the classes and said the group helped children to understand both the moral and medical issues associated with abortion.