In the competence-based curriculum that was rolled out in 2016, among the eight cross-cutting issues that were integrated was comprehensive sexuality education (CSE).

Florian Rutiyomba, Director of Humanities and Art Unit Curriculum in Teaching and Learning Resources Department from Rwanda Education Board, says these issues, in some subjects, are intense and must be addressed depending on the context and the topic.

Comprehensive sexuality education, he says, tackles sex as it is, but there is also sex as gender, and that it covers the entire lifespan of a human being.

Other cross-cutting issues include; environment, standardisation, culture, genocide studies, among others.

Teenagers are vulnerable to coercion, abuse and exploitation if not properly and thoroughly educated on matters regarding sex. File.

CSE should be age-appropriate, taught from pre-primary to secondary school, culturally suitable, and scientifically approved, which are the three pillars of the topic.

What to know

Rutiyomba says sex is a significant aspect of a person’s life from birth to death, consisting of many interrelated factors, including growth and development, gender, relationship behaviour, attitude, values, self-esteem, sexual health, and reproduction, among others.

Sylvester Twizerimana, a psychologist and counsellor at Anglican Church of Rwanda in Rubavu District, says when it comes to sex/sexuality education, it’s a field of health education where adolescents get to learn the reproductive structures of men and women, menopause and birth.

He says sex education is simply meant for the learners to understand and appreciate the difference in developmental changes between the two genders, and interpersonal relationships.

"This is an important topic for parents and learners, especially those in the adolescent stage, therefore, schools should embrace it,” he says.

The importance

Ronald Wandira, the head of the humanities department at Riviera High School and year leader—advanced level—at Rwanda Education Board (REB), is of the view that in the age of computers and social media, teenagers are curious about sex, and it is an important task for schools and parents to encompass correct concepts of sex in their children, rather than the job being done by inappropriate magazines or internet sites. 

He notes that this topic is not only important from a biological point of view, but it also provides a platform for young people to clear their mind-boggling thoughts about sex.

Also, when taught, he says, it gives learners a better understanding of humanity, reproductive rights, self-appreciation, and the physiological and emotional aspects related to it.

Wandira adds that sex is a part of personality and that sex education can help develop a complete personality.

"That is why sex education should be an important part of family education, and should be given at home from childhood,” he notes.

If parents and teachers can communicate well with children and also adopt these methods, they will find it easy to discuss sex with them,” he says.  

Repercussions

Rutiyomba says very few young people receive adequate preparation for a smooth transition from childhood to adolescence to adulthood, and information for healthy sexual lives.

This, he says, leaves them potentially vulnerable to coercion, abuse and exploitation, unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV/AIDS.

Because of this, he says, there is an urgent need to address the gap in knowledge about sexuality, gender and other related reproductive health issues.

Meanwhile, Twizerimana says strategies to counter this situation should start early in the socialisation of children — at home, in school and in the community.

What is included in CBC? 

Topics such as sexual and reproductive health, human growth and development, communication, relationships, gender, prevention of STIs, HIV and AIDS, unwanted pregnancies and gender-based violence, among others, need to be taught with care to students in schools as stipulated in the curriculum framework of Rwanda’s CBC.

The framework supports a rights-based approach in which values such as respect, acceptance, tolerance, equality, empathy, and reciprocity are inextricably linked to universally agreed human rights. 

Through the school-based comprehensive sexuality education curriculum, children, adolescents and young people, should be equipped with the knowledge, skills, and values in an age-appropriate, culturally and gender-sensitive manner.

This is to enable them make responsible choices about their sexual and social relationships, explain and clarify feelings, values, attitudes, and promote and sustain risk-reducing behaviour. 

According to The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), only 34 per cent of young people around the world can demonstrate accurate knowledge of HIV prevention and transmission.

Two out of three girls in some countries have no idea of what is happening to them when they begin menstruating.

Wandira says these are some of the reasons why there is an urgent need for quality comprehensive sexuality education (CSE), both at home by parents and at school by teachers. 

The objectives of sex education, he says, are to help children understand the body structures of men and women and acquire the knowledge about birth.

Also, to teach children to establish and accept the role and responsibility of their own gender, by acquiring the knowledge of sex.

"Understanding the differences and similarities between two genders in terms of body and mind will set up a foundation for the future development in their acquaintance with friends and interpersonal relationship,” he says.

Other benefits

John Nzayisenga, Director of Kigali Harvest School, says sex education is a kind of holistic education, and it teaches an individual about self-acceptance and the attitude and skills of interpersonal relationship.

He notes that it also helps an individual to cultivate a sense of responsibility towards others, as well as oneself. 

He observes that most young people receive confusing and conflicting information about relationships and sex, as they make the transition from childhood to adulthood.

This, Nzayisenga says, has led to increasing demand from young people for reliable information, which prepares them for a safe, productive and fulfilling life. 

When delivered well, Wandira says CSE responds to this demand, empowering young people to make informed decisions about relationships and sexuality and navigate a world where gender-based violence, gender inequality, early and unintended pregnancies, HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) still pose serious risks to their health and overall well-being.

Equally, he notes that a lack of high-quality, age- and developmentally-appropriate sexuality and relationship education may leave children and young people vulnerable to harmful sexual behaviours and sexual exploitation. 

"CSE plays a crucial role in addressing the health and well-being of children and young people,” he says.

Besides, Nzayisenga says applying a learner-centered approach not only provides children and young people with age-appropriate education on human rights, gender equality, relationships, reproduction, sexual behaviors risks and prevention of ill health, it also provides an opportunity to present sexuality with a positive approach. 

Also, it helps when it comes to emphasising values such as respect, inclusion, non-discrimination, equality, empathy, responsibility and mutuality. 

Whose role should it be?

Nowadays, with the rapid growth of information, sex information is everywhere, children are curious about sex.

Therefore, Nzayisenga says parents need to instill correct concepts of sex to their children as early as possible, before they are misled by unsuitable magazines and irresponsible media.  

Twizerimana says when children grow up, they need to learn and adapt to the physiological and psychological changes in the different stages of development.

He notes that the learning objectives of sex education vary with the age of children and the environment; therefore, they need appropriate and continuous counselling and guidance.

Nzayisenga says parents are the core society — they accompany their children as they grow, so, they are the most appropriate people to pass on sex education to their children.

"The earlier sex education is given at home, the earlier the children are able to establish correct concepts on sex, and the easier the parents can handle the situation,” he says.

He adds that it’s imperative for both parents to equally participate when it comes to playing this role.

This, Nzayisenga says, will help children greatly benefit from all this, and when they grow up, they will know how to interact with other people. 

Wandira points out that it’s important for teachers to choose the right time to ask questions and provide answers. Also, give sex education on appropriate occasions.

He adds that parents on the other hand should avoid discussing sex with children in the presence of other people, as they may feel embarrassed.

"As an educator, it’s important to establish their confidence and holistic development, emphasis on holistic development,” he says.

Parents should also learn to teach their children to have correct and enlightened views of sex, so that they are able to accept themselves and affirm their self-worth, which will benefit them for the rest of their lives.

"As they grow, providing more specific answers even for the same question to satisfy their quest for knowledge is important,” he adds. 

Wandira adds that broadening their social circle and seeking support and encouraging young people to take part in extra-curricular activities is also beneficial. 

editor@newtimesrwanda.com