Assessment of the Importance of Comprehensive Sex Education in Secondary School Curricula
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Date
2023-12-23
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
This study aimed to assess the importance of Comprehensive Sex Education (CSE) in Secondary School Curricula. The research focused on assessing the need for the introduction of comprehensive sex education in secondary school curricula, the debate that exists, the role of CSE in promoting gender equality, and existing gaps that remain in the existing curricula. Primary data was collected through an in-depth, semi-structured interview through various techniques. Phone and online interviews were used besides in-person interviews. Respondents include educators, gender experts, curriculum experts, and advocates. Document review was employed to review the secondary school textbook Biology and Civics and Ethical Education and assess the strengths and gaps in relation to CSE. A provisional code was set out to serve as a guide to explore and analyze the documents. The research findings have pointed out that CSE is not officially included in the secondary school curriculum (grades 9 to 12), although certain topics related to sexual and reproductive health are covered in Biology Civics and Ethical Education. Some essential topics were excluded, while the approach and focus are only biological and physical and do not include psychological and social aspects. The study presents the importance of CSE to adolescents' overall well-being, empowerment, awareness, and informed decision-making, leading to improved sexual and reproductive health outcomes. Finally, the study discusses the existing debate and various perspectives around the inclusion of CSE in the curriculum, including concerns of sensitivity, encouragement of adolescent sexual activity, the existing lessons on sexual and reproductive health being sufficient and whether CSE should be a co-curricular activity or a curricular activity. It is recommended that the Ministry of Education revise and expand the current curriculum by adding important topics of comprehensive sex education that are missing and including psychological and social aspects to engage students with real-life case studies. NGOs are recommended to provide culture- sensitive co-curricular CSE materials to ensure approval from the Ministry of Education. Further research and evaluation are recommended to design age-appropriate and culturally sensitive CSE.
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NGOs, CSE