Comprehensive Sexual Education elective pulled from high schools — Vesna Janevska orders deep review
The elective curriculum was pulled after public reaction; the minister said she will review the text with the Bureau for Development of Education.
The Ministry of Education and Science has withdrawn the elective curriculum titled "Comprehensive Sexual Education" for secondary schools and announced a thorough review, Minister Vesna Janevska said today following public reactions to the proposed course.
Janevska told reporters that the program and the elective have been pulled "at this moment" and that the ministry will carry out a deep revision after requests from the public. She said she had asked the Bureau for Development of Education to assist and that, although she is not a specialist, she will personally go through the curriculum "word by word" to identify any problematic elements.
What the proposed curriculum contained
According to the minister, the draft curriculum addressed a number of concrete topics: family, protection from sexually transmitted infections, prevention of unwanted pregnancy, gender equality and non-discrimination between sexes. Those topics were listed as part of the material intended for students who would choose the elective.
Janevska also noted that there is scientific evidence supporting sexual education at the secondary level because adolescents face the issues covered by the course during those years. The subject was designed as an optional course available to students from first through fourth year of secondary school.
She added that it is the duty of the minister to listen to all comments and concerns about the education system and to respond accordingly. No timetable was announced for the revision or for any future decision on reintroducing the elective.
Photo: press material from the event
