MPs are suggesting mandatory sex education for the under-fives in school, with an opt-out if individual parents object.

As a group, MPs have often shown themselves unfit to make moral judgements.

Some schools are currently failing to teach the core subjects of maths and English, including grammar, spelling and punctuation to the acceptable level.

We need to get these things in order before we put a further responsibility onto teachers. In fact, it may be better to make parenting a mandatory course so they are better able to face up to their own responsibilities.

Children are naturally curious, so it is likely they will sneak a look at an older siblings' notes in advance of their ability to understand. Without models, diagrams and structured teaching this could be disastrous.

The same applies for children whose parents object, these playmates will discuss things among themselves. Those excluded from the lesson are bound to ask their pals what it was all about, what have I missed.

Many times when I didn’t quite understand something in a lesson, rather than raise my hand to ask and probably suffer the scorn of an impatient tutor I would seek out my friends for their opinion. These are not ideal ways of learning anything.

Parents, teachers and school governors need to give this subject more thought especially why it is thought necessary. If society is becoming more promiscuous it is hardly the fault of our offspring, is it?

Knowledge of the birds and the bees should start early and be what they are, “the facts of life”, though understanding of the mysteries of love-making and the complexity of deep relationships requires some degree of maturity not found in the innocence of childhood.

G Wild, Richmond.