Five-year-olds to learn evils of 'wife beating'

London: Pupils as young as five will be taught about the evils of 'wife beating' and the need to form healthy relationships.

The lessons are part of a controversial drive, unveiled today, to reduce violence against women and young girls.

They will include teaching boys that they must not beat their partners or any other female. Last night, critics warned that ministers are cramming the already over-stuffed National Curriculum with lessons that should be taught in the home or in the community.

Others say the plan is part of the feminist agenda led by Harriet Harman in her role as Equalities Minister. They pointed out the new classes will not cover violence against men, who are far more likely to be the victims of violent crime.

In the past few days alone, Harman has blamed men for the banking crisis, and suggested the Labour Party should always have a female in its top two posts.

Officials confirmed that the document - Saving Lives, Reducing Harm, Protecting the Public - is not simply a Home Office report, but is a 'cross-Government initiative'.

Harman was due to be involved in its launch, before becoming embroiled in a Whitehall row over rape laws.

The most eye-catching proposal in the document is the one to force schools to introduce statutory lessons in 'educating children and young people about healthy, non-violent relationships'.

The lessons will be part of the National Curriculum and are likely to be taught in Personal, Social and Health Education classes, which are attended by children from the age of five.

Teachers will also be given new guidance on tackling 'gender bullying'.

Margaret Morrissey, of family lobby group Parents Outloud, said that PSHE classes were in danger of being 'hijacked by pressure groups'.

She added: "I do not really want my youngster to be indoctrinated with these things. There will always be those who want to cram our school curriculum with social issues that could be taught by parents and society," said Morrissey.