MPs push for sex education in school syllabus

MPs want sex education introduced as a subject at the school level to help adolescents understand the risks involved.

Agitated by high rates of unintended pregnancies and HIV/Aids infections among other sexually transmitted diseases, the lawmakers have called on the state to include sex education in schools as a measure to address the issue which poses a great threat to teenagers.

Kirinyaga County MP Njeri Maina, who moved the motion urged the national government, through the State Department of Basic Education, to introduce comprehensive health, wellness, and sex education as a core subject in the school curriculum.

While many legislators are in favour of the proposal, some are sceptical about the need for comprehensive health education, as they believe by teaching sex education in schools, the country could be introducing young people to sex at an early age.

Langata MP, Phelix Odiwuor voiced his support for the initiative but questioned what “comprehensive” entails and what additional aspects it covers.