Civil society organisations and school governing bodies have urged the government to urgently roll out comprehensive sexuality education in schools.
Their call came at a panel discussion facilitated by the Soul City Institute for Social Justice located in Dunkeld. It was facilitated by the institute’s advocacy manager Matokgo Makutoane with panellists Eva Marumo, deputy director of the Department of Health; Lindeni Motsa, a member of the National Association of School Governing Bodies; and Muzi Ndlovu, the deputy director at the Department of Education.
“The National Association of School Governing Bodies has identified the lack of parental involvement especially in black communities, the flashy lifestyles on TV and the education system as key problems to youth development,” said Motsa.
Motsa further highlighted that there was a need to advance gender equality in society. “Society needs to bring boys closer when addressing these issues. The education system needs to empower our youth and put them in a position where they can thrive as entrepreneurs and not depend on older men or women.”
According to Marumo, girls are particularly at risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases. “Girls aged between 15 and 24 are eight times more likely to get infected with HIV when involved with older men. KwaZulu-Natal has the highest number of young women infected,” said Marumo.
“Communities need to meet the government halfway when it comes to comprehensive sexuality education. Parents need to talk to their children. The Department of Health has launched youth-friendly clinics, they address young people on issues of sexuality, contraceptive methods, pregnancy counselling and has a 24 hours helpline number for support.”
Ndlovu said the government was committed to raising awareness for comprehensive sexuality education in line with the United Nations educational agency, Unesco, policies.
“The challenge we face is that there is no one solution for everyone,” said Ndlovu “We are tackling sexuality education and need to be sensitive to culture and religious influences on learners’ lives. The other challenge is the lack of training for teachers to present sexuality lessons.
“We are working on integrating comprehensive sexuality education with the life orientation curriculum, which doesn’t only focus on sexually related issues but a range of other factors that can help with youth development. The curriculum has been created and piloted in five provinces.”
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