Group Knocks Minister Over Removal Of Sex Education From Curriculum

A group of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) has faulted the directive by the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, to the National Educational Research Development Council to remove sex education from the Nigerian educational curriculum.

The coalition of 53 organisations, in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja disagreed with the directive.

Adamu at the 66th Ministerial Session of the National Council on Education had given the directive to expunge sex education from the curriculum.

The minister argued that sex education should be left in the hands of parents and religious institutions and not be taught in schools in a manner that would further corrupt little children who are having access to phones and technologies.

The Executive Director, Education as a Vaccine, Toyin Chukwudozie said that anyone who had interacted with the curriculum would know that it was set to provide support and guidance for adolescents and young people.

She said, ”These young people need to navigate through the changing phases of their lives that are so critical, and mostly experienced while they go through the basic and senior secondary education.

”This development is very unwelcome and erodes 20 years of progress made by the ministry of education and other state and non-state actors to provide wholesome education that meets the needs of learners at different levels.

”It appears the minister has not been provided appropriate information and advisory by relevant officials about Nigeria’s Family Life and HIV Education curriculum, the journey towards having this curriculum, and the impact on adolescents, and young people.

”The FLHE curriculum was approved by the same NCE in 2002 because of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and the constant rising incidents among adolescents and young people.

”It is imperative to adopt strategies that will centre this vulnerable group at the heart of prevention and response, one of such strategies was the adaptation into the school curriculum.”

According to Chukwudozie, the FLHE curriculum is a planned process of education that fosters the acquisition of factual information, the formation of positive attitudes, beliefs and values as well as the development of skills.