Royal sends condom vouchers to teens

FORMER Socialist presidential candidate Ségolène Royal has angered national education bosses by sending a "contraception pass" to thousands of teenage girls in Poitou-Charentes.

Royal, who is the region's president, is sending out the voucher books – which can be used to get condoms and medical check-ups worth €82 – early next week.

They will be delivered to nurses in 90 lycées in the region, who will then distribute them to female pupils.

Royal told BFM TV that the education ministry had blocked the initiative, "but I am going to do it anyway because I want to fight against teenage pregnancies".

"Schools give out the morning-after pill, but prevention would be better," she said, urging other regions to follow her lead.

Education minister Luc Chatel said schools should not be getting involved with family planning issues.