Paulina Quintao – Although the Education Ministry has formally included sexual health as a subject in the national curriculum, this has not yet been implemented as teachers still felt uncomfortable delivering the subject.
Deputy Minister of Education Dulce de Jesus Soares said the comprehensive sexual education program aimed to give both male and female students a better understanding about gender equality, as well as the prevention of unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.
"We have the curriculum already, but the problem is that a lot of teachers feel uncomfortable and shy to talk about these things to students," she said at a national conference on sexual and reproductive health rights entitled 'investing women's health, investing to the future of Timor-Leste' at Delta Nova, Dili.
She said the subject would be taught from first grade up until the high school, with instruction to be based on students' ages and level of understanding.
"We need to teach comprehensive sexual education about human development, disease prevention, ability for decision-making, protection and positive and healthy relations," she said.
She said the curriculum would cover all topics about reproductive health, preventing unintended pregnancy and different types of sexual abuse.
The subject content will also include sexual differences, gender and the human body, including health promotion so that students have the ability and understanding to make good and healthy life decisions.
By ensuring students had a good understanding of sexual health, she said this would help contribute to the reducing rates of unwanted pregnancy and maternal and child mortality, as well as incidences of babies being dumped and other social problems in the country.
However, she said teachers must be creative and have a good teaching method and ability in order to deliver the subject effectively to students.
Sexual health was added as a school subject last year after the ministry revised the implementation of the national curriculum.
Meanwhile, Director of Alola Foundation, Alzira Reis said Timorese culture was the main challenge facing the ministry in implementing the new curriculum as many people still considered the matter taboo.
However, she said the Education Ministry continued to make efforts to convince teachers about the importance of sexual education in schools. "It was very important for their (students') future," she said. She said the government must also raise awareness about the curriculum to parents.
Meanwhile, Deputy President of the Timor-Leste Parliamentary Women's Group (GMPTL) MP Albina Marcal said education was the key to change, particularly in terms of preventing unwanted pregnancies and the reduction of maternal and child mortality rates in Timor-Leste.
"It is important to integrate sexual education in the school curriculum so that they (students) understand and know the functions of the reproductive system and how to prevent unintended pregnancy," she said.
Marcal said incidences of babies being dumped was also linked to unwanted pregnancy as young women were not ready to be parents.