Sex education still a taboo topic in rural classrooms - UNISA study

702's John Perlman chats to Director of the School of Social Sciences at UNISA, Professor Azwihangwisi Helen Mavhandu-Mudzusi.

Listen below:

Many South African teachers feel unprepared and unsupported when it comes to teaching sex education, especially in rural areas where cultural and religious taboos create significant barriers. 

A new study by University of South Africa (UNISA) academics Professor Azwihangwisi Helen Mavhandu-Mudzusi and Associate Professor Vhothusa Edward Matahela highlights the challenges faced by educators in Limpopo, where topics such as HIV, sexuality, and contraception are often avoided entirely.

Their study, published on The Conversation, found that most teachers had received no formal training in delivering the HIV/AIDS curriculum or broader sexuality education. 

Instead, they relied on second-hand information from the radio, textbooks, or adverts. 

Some were even unable to correctly define HIV, and many admitted to skipping key topics due to community pressure or fear of offending pupils’ families. 

"They said they read, but they avoid some of the sensitive topics, especially related to sexuality, because it's taboo. Others were even afraid of the parents because the parents were not happy that their children were taught about sexuality, and others were even saying it was against their religion to talk, maybe about condoms, with learners, and others were cultural issues. It's maybe a taboo for female learners to talk to male learners about sexuality issues... these are some of the aspects which hinder effective sexuality education." 

- Professor Azwihangwisi Helen Mavhandu-Mudzusi, UNISA

In some cases, educators were even stigmatised by their peers as “teachers of forbidden topics.”

To address the issue, the researchers recommend using peer education models, age-appropriate games, and relatable language that learners understand. 

Mavhandu-Mudzusi believes a more creative, culturally sensitive approach, combined with proper teacher training, could make sex education more effective and reduce the high rates of HIV and teenage pregnancy in schools.

Scroll up to listen to the full conversation.