Lagos govt to commence comprehensive sexual education in vocational training

THE Lagos State government in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNPFA) is fine-tuning policy draft to include Comprehensive Sexual Education (CSE) in the curriculum of non-formal vocational training institutions in the state.

In a meeting of stakeholders organised by UNPF together with the Ministry of Youth and Social Development (MYSD) to put finishing touches to the CSE draft in Lagos recently the Permanent Secretary, MYSD, Mr Hakeem Muri-Okunola spoke of the need for a holistic approach towards sexual education to young people especially those within the non-formal vocational programmes, who have been excluded from the schooling system.

Citing the report of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the International Commission on Population and Development of 2009/1 and 2012/1, the Permanent Secretary, who was represented by the Director of Youth Department, MYSD, Mr Bode Adams, established the necessity for government of all levels to ensure that young people are adequately educated about their sexual and reproductive health.

He said that “being able to express one’s own sexuality freely and openly is central to humanity and important to young people’s well-being, happiness and health;” that “implementing high-quality Comprehensive Sexual Education inside and outside schools is a necessity for governments worldwide and not a political choice”.

Speaking further about the sexual education action plan for vocational training programmes, the representative of UNPFA Lagos, Dr Sofemu Esther maintained that this form of education should not be left to formal schools only.

“Young people who are in the non-formal setting need to have access to sexuality education”, she said. “This is key because we have done so much with schools and left out this group.

“We have a large number of this group in the state and we cannot afford to continue to leave them behind. That is why UNFPA has come forward to champion the cause of these young people having access to sexuality education in places where they have training.

“We know that when young people have access to a comprehensive education about their sexuality, their transition from childhood to adulthood will be smooth. And we know that the state has over ten million of its population as young people, who are vulnerable to sexually transmitted diseases including HIV and sexual abuse.

“This is why we are partnering with the Ministry of Youth and Social Development to ensure that young people in non-formal setting, who are usually missed out in most of the programmes, have access to a comprehensive sexuality education.”

Speaking about the components of the curriculum and the stereotype associated with promoting sexual education in Africa, Dr Shekoni, said that the Comprehensive Sexual Education curriculum was adapted from the Family Life and Health Education Textbook and that it will “not lead to early sexual activities or risky sexual behaviour, which are some of the concerns we have had over time with regards to teaching young people about sexuality education”.

She said that “the curriculum goes beyond talking about sexual behaviour, to encompass areas and aspects of the life of young people that will help them in decision making as well as living a fulfilled life.

“For instance, this curriculum has 27 chapters. And some of the chapters include areas such as body weight, self-esteem, negotiation, goal setting, values and relationship with the larger society, among others. Following the curriculum, it will be quite obvious that it is not all about sex, sex, sex.”