The Northern Ireland secretary says he will consider introducing compulsory relationship and sex education (RSE) in schools if the Department of Education does not.
BBC News NI has learned that Shailesh Vara has written to the department to inform them of his intention to act.
Mr Vara said he had a legal duty to act on the recommendations of a United Nations (UN) committee report on RSE.
It said RSE in Northern Ireland should be compulsory and comprehensive.
