Growing up is never easy. For children and teenagers, figuring out friendships, emotions, respect, and—later on—sexuality can be one of the hardest parts of becoming an adult. Schools play a big role in guiding students through these challenges, but until now, education in this area has often been inconsistent or fragmented.

That’s about to change.

Starting in September 2025, the French government and the Ministry of Education are launching a new program in schools of all ages that has the ambition to teach children about emotions, relationships, their bodies, and for the older ones, sexuality. Research shows high-quality sex education reduces risks, prevents violence, and improves well-being. France is now making this a reality for all students with the newly introduced EVAR/EVARS program.

In école maternelle (ages 3 to 5) and école élémentaire (ages 6 to 10), the program is called EVAR (Education à la Vie Affective et Relationnelle, translated literally as the Education of Affective and Relational Life), and in collège (ages 11 to 14) as well as lycée (ages 15 to 18) it is called EVARS (Education à la Vie Affective et Relationnelle, et à la Sexualité, literally translated as the Education of Affective and Relational Life, and Sexuality).

This program transforms sexual education—mandatory since 2001—into a structured, integrated course across all grade levels.

Here is the breakdown of what the program entails.

The program is structured around three main goals, developed progressively as students grow:

1. Knowing oneself – learning to live confidently and peacefully with one’s body.
2. Meeting others – building respectful relationships and thriving within them.
3. Finding one’s place in society – understanding rights, responsibilities, and freedom.

👶 For younger students (3–10 years old):

It’s not about sexuality. Instead, the focus is on feelings, friendships, respect, and empathy. For example, children might practice asking for consent in everyday situations—“Can I sit next to you?” or “Can I hold your hand?”—helping them understand boundaries and kindness from an early age.

👦👧 For middle and high school students (11–18 years old):

The program goes deeper, covering:

- Anatomy, reproduction, and prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
- Consent, respect, and rights.
- Critical thinking, fighting stereotypes, and promoting gender equality.
- Preventing harassment and sexual violence.

Workshops, guided discussions, and fictional scenarios will help teens think critically about real-life challenges, from online risks to personal relationships.

Research worldwide has shown that high-quality sex education reduces risks and improves well-being. Studies link it to:

✅ Lower rates of unprotected sex and unintended pregnancies.

✅ Reduced risk of STIs.

✅ Fewer non-consensual encounters.

✅ Healthier, more respectful relationships.

In other words, this isn’t just about knowledge—it’s about equipping students to live safer, happier, and more respectful lives.

Sex education has technically been mandatory in France since 2001, but in reality, it’s been patchy and uneven. The EVAR/EVARS program makes it structured, consistent, and age-appropriate, across all grade levels.

By addressing emotions, relationships, and sexuality in a thoughtful way, this reform could transform how young people in France grow up and interact with one another.

💬 What do you think?

Is France leading the way with this bold new approach, or should the program go even further?