[PIO] ***REVEALED***Press conference on the teaching of Sexuality Education in schools

A joint press conference was held today, at the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth, by Minister Athena Michaelidou and the President of the "Voice" Council Anastasia Papadopoulou on the issue of sexual education of students.

Regarding the teaching of sexual education in schools, the following is noted. The Parliament, through its legislation, asked the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth (MESY) to have a specific time in the Timetable of each class for this subject and, in addition, to introduce it in the Lyceum and Technical Education. [/LIST]

1. Schools have an essential role to play in ensuring the health of students. Health education is a human right for every student and must be ensured during his/her school years. Health education at school helps to address a number of social problems related to smoking, alcohol, delinquency, sexual abuse, road safety, racism, sexually transmitted diseases, unwanted pregnancies and social inequality. At the same time, health education in education supports participatory and democratic processes, promotes active and experiential learning and opens up new avenues of cooperation between school, family and community, thus contributing substantially to the creation of a positive climate in the school and the fulfilment of its educational and social objectives. Moreover, it contributes in a way that students feel positive about school, which reduces the chances of developing risky behaviours directly related to health and possibly helps them to achieve better learning outcomes.

1. The content of the Health Education Curriculum ensures a holistic concept of health by promoting the interconnection between the thematic modules. The multidimensional and holistic approach to health in the proposed Comprehensive Programme is expressed through four main axes: a) the development and empowerment of the self, b) the development of a safe and healthy lifestyle, c) the creation and improvement of the social self and d) the creation of the active citizen. The emphasis on one thematic unit of the Health Education Curriculum has a catalytic effect on the others at the same time. After all, the health-related risk factors (e.g. smoking, sexual abuse, violence, stereotypes, cyberbullying, HIV/AIDS, delinquency, etc.) that are addressed in Health Education remain largely the same (e.g. place of residence, legal framework, social class, gender, education, state services, living conditions, etc.). The link between Health Education topics and the student's immediate and wider environment and the development of life skills related to claiming improved living conditions (and thus health) is common to all subjects in the curriculum. For example, the skill of 'assertion', the ability to critically process factors affecting health or healthy behaviours and the role of the individual in a society with conflicting life values, is an objective and is included in all modules.

1. Within the curriculum of Health Education, students are taught topics related to holistic sex education since the school year 2010-2011. The topics related to sex education are mainly included in the thematic sub-module: "Family Planning, Sexual and Reproductive Health" of the thematic unit Creating and Improving Social Self. The sub-module includes brief topics on the stages of individual development, the rule of thumb, friendship, conflict resolution in relation to relationships/friendships, managing emotions that fall more broadly within relationships, coping mechanisms for dealing with violence, gender stereotypes, responsible use of digital technologies and the internet, etc. The sub-module includes brief topics on the stages of individual development, the rule of thumb, friendship, conflict resolution in relation to relationships/friendships, managing emotions that fall more broadly within relationships, coping mechanisms for dealing with violence, gender stereotypes, responsible use of digital technologies and the internet, etc. Issues related to sexuality education are approached in an interdisciplinary way together with other health education topics such as self-development and development, emotional health, safety, social skills development, rights and responsibilities, life values, substance use and abuse, living conditions, acceptance and management of diversity, etc. In short, the sub-module on sexuality education is not approached independently, but the possibility is offered to make connections with other thematic units of the curriculum in order to ensure that sexual health issues are addressed holistically. For example, an adolescent's sexual behaviour is linked to the use of addictive substances, smoking, safety issues, the development of social skills, rights and responsibilities, values, etc. Students therefore have the opportunity to understand that sexuality and sexual behaviour are related to their lives more broadly, the lives of others and society as a whole.

1. The curriculum relating to sexuality education has been and continues to be the responsibility of the Ministry of Education and Science. Based on this curriculum, continuous training and empowerment of teachers at all levels is provided by the Pedagogical Institute, the Inspectorate and other institutions. In addition, training materials have been developed and are posted on the website of the Ministry of Education and Science. In particular, materials for primary education are posted on the website: https:/agogyd.schools.ac.cy/index.php/el/ and for Secondary Education on the website: https:/agogym.schools.ac.cy/index.php/el/yliko/didaktiko-yliko

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Attached Table regarding the teaching of sex education at all levels of education in the context of health education.

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