The Teaching of Sexuality Education in Years 7-13 (June 2007) 01/06/2007

Introduction

Sexuality education is a key area of learning in Health and Physical Education in the New Zealand Curriculum, yet research tells us that many New Zealand teenagers have incomplete or inaccurate knowledge about safe sex practices. New Zealand has one of the highest rates of teenage pregnancies among comparable OECD countries. The rate of sexually transmitted infections, especially among Māori and Pacific youth, is increasing. Abortion rates too have been increasing over the last 20 years.[1] New Zealand research[2] shows that many teenagers have incomplete or inaccurate knowledge about safe sex practices.

As part of a whole-of-government approach, representatives from the Ministries of Women’s Affairs, Education, Health, Youth Development, Social Development, Pacific Island Affairs and Te Puni Kōkiri are implementing a cross-sector, multi‑faceted approach intended to:

• reduce the number of teenagers with sexually transmitted infections;
• reduce the rate of unplanned teenage pregnancies; and
• improve the ability of teenagers to avoid and/or deal effectively with coercive and other abusive behaviours.

As part of this work, the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, as the lead agency, asked the Education Review Office to evaluate the teaching of sexuality education in schools.

Objectives of this review

The purpose of this review is to assess the effectiveness of sexuality education programmes for students in Years 7 to 13, and specifically to evaluate:

• the quality and content of teaching and learning programmes in sexuality education provided by teachers in schools;
• the quality and content of teaching and learning programmes in sexuality education provided by outside providers to students in schools; and
• the extent to which teaching in sexuality education supports quality learning outcomes for all students including Māori, Pacific, international, those of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities, those with special education needs, and those with strong religious or cultural beliefs.

The planned outcomes of the study (this report and the companion report on good teaching practice) are:

• to improve teaching practice and professional development;
• to provide information that will assist curriculum resource planners and policy analysts working on sexuality education for Years 7 to 13; and
• to provide more information for parents.

Sexuality education

The curriculum

Sexuality education is one of seven key areas of learning in Health and Physical Education in the New Zealand Curriculum. In December 2001,^[3] it became a requirement for sexuality education to be taught within a broader programme up to and including Year 10. At senior levels students’ achievements may or may not be assessed against unit or achievement standards within the National Qualifications Framework.^[4]

Boards of trustees are required to consult their community at least every two years on how the school intends to implement the health curriculum,^[5] of which sexuality education is a part.

The curriculum for sexuality education includes opportunities for students to develop:

• knowledge, understanding, and skills relating to sexual development - physical, emotional, and social;
• knowledge, understanding, and skills to enhance their sexual and reproductive health;
• personal and interpersonal skills and attitudes; and
• understanding and skills to enhance relationships.

The curriculum for sexuality education includes physical, emotional and social aspects of the students’ sexual development, and students are expected to critically examine social and cultural influences on sexuality.[6] At each level, programmes should have a clear focus and, at the appropriate levels, programmes should treat delaying sexual intercourse as a priority but should also focus on safe sexual practices. Sexuality education also involves awareness that people can differ in their sexual orientation.[7] Prevention of sexual abuse is part of the ‘mental health’ key area of learning, and so is not covered in ‘sexuality education’.[8]

When ERO reviewed the sexual and reproductive health component of the school curriculum in 1996,^[9] schools followed the Syllabus for Schools Health Education in Primary, and Secondary Schools^[10] and sexuality education was not compulsory.

[1] Ministry of Health, Sexual and Reproductive Health: a resource book for New Zealand health care organisations, Wellington: Ministry of Health, 2003.

[2] Ministry of Health, Safer Sex Evaluation Summary, Wellington: Prepared by TNS New Zealand Limited for the Ministry of Health, 2005.

[3] New Zealand Gazette Notice, December 2001.

[4] National Certificates of Educational Achievement (NCEA) are New Zealand’s main national qualification for secondary school students.

[5] Ministry of Education, Sexuality Education: Revised Guide for Principals, Boards of Trustees and Teachers (Wellington: Learning Media, 1999), pp 14 – 17.

[6] Ministry of Education (1999) Sexuality Education: Revised Guide for Principals, Boards of Trustees and Teachers. Learning Media, Wellington, pages 10 – 13 and page 44.

[7] Ministry of Education (2002) Inclusive Sexuality Education. Learning Media, Wellington. page 9.

[8] Ministry of Education (1999) Health and Physical Education in the New Zealand Curriculum. Learning Media, Wellington, page 38 – 39.

[9] Ministry of Health, Reproductive and Sexual Health Education: A report provided by the Education Review Office for the Ministry of Health, 1996.

[10] Ministry of Education, Syllabus for Schools Health Education in Primary and Secondary Schools. New Zealand: Government Print 1989.