The Department of Basic Education has published its lesson plans for the controversial new sexual education curriculum. The pilot plan of the Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) will be trialed at selected schools, and these schools have all recorded high HIV infection rates, as well as the prevalence of sexual abuse.
“The Comprehensive Sexuality Education has been part of the curriculum since the year 2000,” the Department said in a statement. “The only change is that in 2015 the DBE developed Scripted Lesson Plans (SLPs) which are currently being tested in five provinces in order to strengthen the teaching of CSE in schools. SLPs are learner and teacher support materials (LTSMs) that are designed to aid teachers and learners to address these important topics in a systematic manner.”
According to the Department, educators will be guided by scripted lessons that will empower learners, and discuss topics that may otherwise be found to be uncomfortable.
“The SLP describes each activity, the materials needed for the activity as well as how to complete the activity, the duration of the activity, the information to be presented, and the points that should be emphasized. The core aim of the CSE and its SLPs is to ensure that we help learners build an understanding of concepts, content, values and attitudes related to sexuality, sexual behavior change as well as leading safe and healthy lives.”
Some of the topics for each grade include:
– Respect for my own body
– Respecting the bodies of others
– Emotions – “Why am I feeling this way?”
– Body Image
– This is my body and I can say what happens to it
– Child Abuse – “Keeping myself safe from abuse”
– Body image: Acceptance of self
– Negative and positive peer pressure
– What is gender stereotyping, sexism and abuse?
– Setting goals and reaching your potential
– Is there a difference between gender and sex?
– Healthy and unhealthy relationships
– Healthy and unhealthy messages about our gender
– Sexuality is more than sex
– What young adults need to know about STIs and HIV and AIDS
– Safer sex: Hormonal contraception
– One partner at a time
– Sexual consent
– Developing my self-confidence
– Understanding sexual interest
– Consent, rape and taking action
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