Perceptions of sex education for young people in Lesotho

Abstract

This study aimed to identify the views of young people, parents and teachers concerning sex education in Lesotho. It was conducted at a time when the national government was considering the introduction of Population and Family Life Education, which includes sex education, into the national school curriculum. Forty‐six focus group discussions were held with young people (10), parents (30) and teachers (6) to identify current sources of sex education and views of the proposed introduction of school‐based sex education in Lesotho. Findings show the limited and problematic sources of sex education for adolescents in Lesotho. They also highlight broad support for the introduction of sex education in the national school curriculum among young people, parents and teachers. Of key importance for the development of a sex education curriculum is the balance between providing young people with information and developing their skills in sexual empowerment and negotiating sexual pressure. The use of pupil‐centred interactive pedagogies was seen as essential. Teachers, however, highlighted the need for training in the delivery of sex education, which includes instruction on course materials, teaching methodologies and developing sensitivity to teaching sexual issues to young people.

Keywords:

• Sex education
• Africa
• young people
• parents
• teachers
• Lesotho

Notes

Family Life Education (FLE) is a term used in many African countries to refer to a module of life skills education which typically includes population education, family issues, parental roles, sexual behaviour and contraception (James‐Traore et al. 2004).

Anecdotal information suggests that in Lesotho, female circumcision does not involve removing any part of the genitalia, as in some other African countries, but only stretching the labia majora (outer lips).

Detailed information on activities within initiation schools is difficult to obtain because pupils are forbidden to reveal such information.

A detailed analysis of findings from parents’ focus group discussions can be found in Mturi (2003).