CURRENT STATUS OF SEX EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS BELONGING TO ERNAKULAM DISTRICT
ABSTRACT
Sex education has been one of the highly controversial issues in Indian society. Due to increasing incidences of HIV/AIDS, RTIs/STIs and adolescent issues, there is a rising need to impart sex education. However, introducing sex education at school level always received mixed response from various segments of Indian society. In this article, the current status of sex education in schools belonging to Ernakulam district has been assessed. A normative survey method has been opted for the study. It was a descriptive cum analysis based one. Responses were collected by questionnaire method using google forms as a tool. The present study has helped to understand the current status of sex education given to students belonging to Ernakulam district. Majority of the students considers sex education as a relevant part of the curriculum and not satisfied with sex education classes being given in their schools. Though students have basic knowledge on reproductive organs, they lack knowledge on important areas such as sexually transmitted diseases, birth control pills, male and female contraceptive measures. More awareness programs need to held in the schools regarding sex education. The study also emphasizes the role of parents as well as teachers in providing proper sex education.
INTRODUCTION
A good education should go beyond the traditional
academic focus; it must also support young people to develop the knowledge,
skills, and ethical values they need to make conscious and healthy choices
about relationships, sex and reproduction.
Sex education, is the instruction of issues relating to human sexuality, including emotional relations and responsibilities, human sexual anatomy, sexual activity, sexual reproduction, age of consent, reproductive health, reproductive rights, sexual health, safe sex and birth control. Sex education which includes all of these issues is known as comprehensive sex education. Sex education may be provided by parents or caregivers, or as part at school programs and public health campaigns. Sexuality education starts early in childhood and progresses through adolescence and adulthood. Comprehensive sexuality education must be an essential part of a good education that helps prepare young people to make well-informed decisions in a world where HIV and AIDS, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), unintended pregnancies, and gender-based violence still pose serious risks to their well-being.
Comprehensive sexuality education is not just about
reproduction, family planning and safe sexual behaviors. It includes
discussions about values, rights, culture and gender, about power dynamics
based on race, gender, ability or sexuality and how to recognize, challenge and
change harmful gender norms. It improves sexual and reproductive health
outcomes, promotes safe and gender equitable learning environments, and
improves education access and achievement. Comprehensive sexuality education is
an essential part of a good quality education that helps prepare young people
for a fulfilling life in a changing world.
NEED AND
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The importance of delivery of sex education in a timely fashion to this significant demographic is emphasized by current statistics that show that almost one in every fifth person on the globe is an adolescent. The sexual and reproductive health needs of adolescents in India are currently overlooked or are not understood by the Indian healthcare system. This could be owing to the lack of knowledge of scientific evidence along with the gross unpreparedness of the public health system. Healthcare professionals often lack the knowledge themselves that impacts upon imparting information to the adolescent population who seek it. Often comprehensive sexual histories are not taken, and sexual health is not openly discussed due to cultural and traditional norms in society. Incorrect information has the potential to create misunderstanding in the youth making them less likely to adopt healthy practices and attitudes toward sex enabling them to maintain lifelong sexual health.It tells us that one of the main barriers to comprehensive sexuality education is negative and misinformed public attitudes. These could be concerns that this type of education is at odds with local cultural or religious beliefs around sexuality, or that it is inappropriate for young children.
The general objective of sex education is to eradicate the lack of knowledge and wrong ideas about sex by creating right attitude among the adolescents. Commonly, schools and colleges are considered as the main hub for creating awareness on sex education. Meeting the needs of such a vulnerable group and overcoming existing shortcomings in the delivery of tailored primary preventative measures would significantly improve the survival and general health conditions, nutritional status, and sexual and reproductive health of the future Indian adult population. This encompasses issues such as early pregnancy, unsafe abortions, STIs including HIV, and sexual abuse and violence.
STATEMENT OF THE
PROBLEM
The study is entitled as “A study on Current status of
sex education in schools belonging to Ernakulam district”
OBJECTIVES
1)To analyze the views of young generation on the
importance of sex education
2)To analyze the efficiency of teachers in providing
sex education.
3)To have a look into the current status of sex
education in schools belonging to Ernakulam district.
METHODOLOGY
The Study was
done to critically evaluate the current status of sex education in schools
belonging to Ernakulam district. It was a descriptive
cum analysis based one. Primary and secondary data was collected. Secondary
data for supporting the study were collected from various web sources. Primary
data required for the study were collected from respondents between age of
15-18 who are currently studying in classes 10, 11 and 12 in schools belonging
to Ernakulam district. Responses were collected by questionnaire method using
google forms as a tool.
ANALYSIS AND
INTERPRETATION OF DATA
OBJECTIVE 1:
To analyze the Views of young generation on the
importance of sex education
Table 1.1: rating of importance of sex education given by
respondents
|
Ratings
given by students |
Number of
respondents |
Percentage |
|
10 |
10 |
62.5% |
|
9 |
3 |
18.8% |
|
8 |
0 |
0 |
|
7 |
2 |
12.5% |
|
6 |
0 |
0 |
|
5 |
1 |
6.3% |
Figure 1.1: shows that majority of the respondents (62.5%) considers sex education to be an important element in school curriculum. Only a relatively small percentage of 37.6% believes that it lacks importance.
Table 1.2: Age at which sexual and reproductive health should be
discussed with young students in school
|
Age |
Number of respondents |
Percentage |
|
Before age 11 |
2 |
12.5% |
|
Age 12-15 |
12 |
75% |
|
Age 16-17 |
2 |
12.5% |
Figure 1.2: shows that 75% of respondents prefer sexual and reproductive health
related topics to be discussed with students in range of age between 12 and
15. A percentage of 12.5% of respondents
prefer the these topics to be discussed with students belonging to the age
between 16 and 18. Whereas 12.5% of respondents believe that providing sex
education to students below the age of 11 is too early.
OBJECTIVE 2: To analyse the efficiency of teachers in providing sex education.
Table 2.1:
Efficiency of teachers in providing sex education to children belonging to
primary classes
|
Views of respondents |
Number of respondents |
Percentage |
|
agree |
12 |
75% |
|
Disagree |
4 |
25% |
Figure
2.1:
depicts that 75% of respondents feels that their teachers are capable enough to
effectively provide knowledge on comprehensive sex education. Likewise, another
25% of respondents do feel there are drawbacks with the faculties at school.
OBJECTIVE 3: To
have a look into the current status of sex education in schools belonging to
Ernakulam district.
Table 3.1:
Sex education topics that has been included in school’s curriculum
|
Sex education topics |
Number of respondents |
Percentage |
|
Basic knowledge of reproductive
organs and how they work |
13 |
81.3% |
|
Basic knowledge of the mestrual
cycle |
13 |
81.3% |
|
Condoms, vasectomies and other types
of male contraceptives |
8 |
50% |
|
birth control pills and female
contraceptives |
9 |
75% |
|
Sexually transmitted diseases and
its means of spreadind, treatment and detection |
9 |
56.3% |
|
basic knowledge of fertilisation and
pregnancy |
12 |
75% |
|
Understanding gender |
9 |
56.3% |
Figure 3.1: shows that 81.3% of respondents have basic knowledge on reproductive
organs and menstruation cycle. Whereas only 75% of respondents have knowledge
on the process fertilisation. Less than 60% of them have very little knowledge
on sexually transmitted diseases, birth control pills, male and female
contraceptive measures.
Table 3.2: Rating of satisfaction with the way school handled sex
education topics
|
Rating given by respondents |
Number of respondents |
percentage |
|
10 |
1 |
6.3% |
|
9 |
2 |
12.5% |
|
8 |
3 |
18.8% |
|
7 |
1 |
6.3% |
|
6 |
1 |
6.3% |
|
5 |
3 |
18.8% |
|
4 |
3 |
18.8% |
|
3 |
1 |
6.3% |
|
2 |
1 |
6.3% |
|
1 |
0 |
0 |
Figure 3.2: depicts that only 6.3% among the respondents are satisfied with sex education that they have received from their school. Rest of respondents aren’t completely satisfied with the classes.
DISCUSSION
Sex education is extremely important in today’s age. As we are seeing
the world around us change, the relevance of sex education in modern India has
become stronger. It is because everyone is exposed to a lot of information on
the internet. Teenagers can access information about sex through dubious sources.
This information can give them wrong ideas about sex, sexual health, and sexual
wellness. Therefore, it becomes crucial that sex education is treated as a
priority today. This is also important to combat the misinformation and wrong
influences coming from sexual content.
Keeping in mind the changing dynamics of the society in India, the
Government of India has brought out the National Education Policy, 2016, which
accepts the significance of sex education in schools for adolescent for safety
measures. It remains to be seen if this policy will be implemented this time
over. It is about time that the educators realise that half-baked, incorrect
knowledge about sex can be dangerous and it is better for the adolescent to be
aware and prepared.
EDUCATIONAL IMPLICATIONS OF THE STUDY
1.
Families
and educational institutions should aware of importance of sex education and
take initiatives to inculcate them in the young generation.
2.
Sex
education has to be started from young ages right from their home. Parents
should feel free to discuss such matters with their kids.
3.
Sex
education has to be made an important element in the school curriculum
4.
Efficient
teachers have to be assigned to provide adequate knowledge on sex education.
5.
Proper
sex education can be game changer and tremendously reduce the rate of sexual
crimes and gender based violences to a great extent.
CONCLUSION
Parents, schools and communities need to understand why sex education matters. Properly designed and implemented, sex education can provide children and young people with the under-28 standing, awareness and skills they will need to navigate adult sexual life. Programmes should include sexual abuse and violence, explaining what these are and what to do about them, including how to access support. The ‘winds of change’ are blowing in the education system. In various parts of the world, schools and colleges are experimenting with new ways to educate the future citizens. Teachers, who are crucial for the success of the expected sex education programme, need to be adequately trained to handle sensitive queries from the students. The students also must visit the four pillars of learning; they must learn to know, to do, to live together and to be. Not that students need to know the basics of sex. Conversations around sex and sexuality still remains a taboo in a literate state like Kerala. The lack of such discussions around this area in families and in schools, compels children to seek answers elsewhere. Sex is a basic human instinct. It is not something that can be or should be curbed. What is needed is the development of healthy sexual attitudes among young generations.
REFERENCE
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Haberland. N et al. (2010). Guidelines and activities for a unified approach to sexuality, gender, HIV, and human rights education. New York: Population Council, 120(1):106-12.
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Retrieved from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/231814723_Sex_Education_in_ the_School_and_College_Curricula_Need_of_the_Hour
Retrieved from: https://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/DMC4711229
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