France, Jan. 29 -- French schools will introduce mandatory sex education classes covering topics such as consent, gender identity and online pornography from September, despite opposition from conservative groups.

However the reforms reduce discussion of gender identity and delay it until high school following backlash that gathered more than 80,000 petition signatures.

The latest version of the curriculum will be presented on Wednesday to the Higher Education Council (CSE), which includes representatives from teachers' unions and parent associations.

Though French law has required schools to provide three sex education sessions annually since 2001, this requirement has rarely been enforced.Age-adapted programme

"Education about love,...