ALECOMM

Education authorities in Queensland have apologised after children as young as six were sent home with graphic instructions on how to engage in safer sex.

The Queensland Health fact sheet, handed out to children at Ipswich West State School, west of Brisbane, includes warnings to use a water-based lubricant before intercourse and to use barrier protection when performing oral sex.

In the video above, Queensland school children start telling teachers how they feel - using emojis.

The note was sent home after an outbreak of molluscum contagiosum, a common skin infection transmitted between children during innocent play or contact sports such as rugby.

The infection can also be transmitted between adults during sexual intercourse, which was the focus of the fact sheet.

In a letter accompanying the fact sheet, principal Cartia Balladone advised parents to check their family members for the condition and, if necessary, obtain medical advice.

'Administrative error'

The Education Department's spokeswoman is blaming an "administrative error" for sending out the adult-focused fact sheet.

"The school apologises for any distress that may have been caused by the provision of information that is not considered age appropriate," she says.

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"The school is communicating with parents and is working to provide more age-appropriate information.

"The safety and wellbeing of students and staff is the highest priority of the Department of Education.

"Parents concerned about the health of their child are encouraged to seek medical advice."

Fact sheet

The fact sheet describes the symptoms of the condition and canvasses potential treatments, such as "freezing" the lesions off.

It then details how adults can limit their exposure to molluscum contagiosum, including tips for how to practise safer sex.

"Always using condoms with water-based lubricant when you have vaginal or anal sex is the best way to avoid getting an STI," it says.

'Use a dental dam.'

"If you are giving a man oral sex (his penis in your mouth), then he should wear a condom.

"It does not matter whether you are male or female, if you put your mouth in contact with your partner's anus or vulva while having sex, you should use a dental dam."

Ipswich West State School, a public primary school, had 241 students last year.