A Christchurch school principal is defending contentious material given to pupils labelling women in de facto relationships "cheap prostitutes" and male partners "cowards" for not proposing marriage.

The literature has drawn criticism from the Ministry of Education, which says it does not fit with the sexuality education curriculum, while Labour education spokesman Chris Hipkins says it should be withdrawn completely.

The text titled 'Safe Sex', produced by the American-based Bible Baptist Publications, came to light after Papanui High School parent Lydia Clark complained to the school when her 15-year-old daughter brought it home from a Year 11 health class.

It included strong Christian views, branding unmarried couples who live together "habitual and irresponsible fornicators", while "death and hell" awaited those having gay sex.

"She thinks he's a wonderful man, yet he's such a coward he can't even ask her to be his wife. He thinks she's a fine lady, yet she's nothing more than a cheap prostitute who allows herself to be used for his sexual gratification in exchange for what seems to be a stable and secure home life," the material said.

"Either you are married or you are not married. If you are not married, yet you have sexual relations, then you are a wicked fornicator."

Papanui High School principal Jeff Smith said the resource was used by 50 pupils in a classroom setting with the aim to show one perspective in a range of societal views, not to discriminate, offend or impose a particular view.

"If we are not able to show them a range of perspectives, a range of view points, then how can they actually make informed decisions around the information and where it sits?"

He said up until this point, pupils had been clear on the material and its intent.

Smith said if pupils and parents felt the perspective was too extreme or harsh then the school would review that.

In a complaint letter posted on the Secular Education Network Facebook page and sent to the school principal, Clark questioned the appropriateness of the material and wanted to know why parents were not forewarned.

She said there were many pupils being brought up by a single parent or had parents who were not married.

While her daughter had married parents, Clark said her daughter was not heterosexual, so being told that sex outside of "man and his wife" was unacceptable and could damage her self-esteem.

Clark met the school on Friday, and said she was satisfied with efforts to explain the context of the material and the resolution reached.

In a follow up post on the Facebook page, Clark said when the material was handed out by a relief teacher they failed to include a critical evaluation in the lesson. Instead it was done the following week.

Ministry of Education head of student achievement Dr Graham Stoop said health lessons should provide opportunities for students to develop their knowledge and understanding of sexual development and encourage attitudes of respect and care for themselves and others.

"From our knowledge of how schools are teaching sexuality education it would be rare for a pamphlet like this to be distributed."

Labour education spokesman Chris Hipkins said schools should promote healthy debate and understanding of intolerance but this "steps over the line".

The school should pull the pamphlet from its curriculum, he said.

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