THE CONTRIBUTION OF LEARNING AND TEACHING SEX EDUCATION IN SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL

1.1 Introduction

Sex education is a broad term used to describe the study of the characteristics of beings; a male and a female. Such characteristics make up the person’s sexuality (Burt 2011). Sex education is the acquisition of knowledge that deals with human sexuality. It consists of instruction on the development of an understanding of the physical, mental, emotional, social, economic and psychological phases of human relations as they are affected by sex in other words, sex education involves providing children with knowledge and concept that will enable them make informed and responsible decisions about sexual behaviors at all stages of their lives (Abogunri, 2005).

As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.

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1.2 Background of Study

Sex education is sometimes called sexuality education. Sex education is also about developing young people’s skills so that they make good choices. It is widely accepted that children have a right to sex education (Sickkid staff, 2019). It is a means by which they are helped to protect themselves against abuse, exploitation, unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases. Providing an effective sex education helps to meet young people’s right to have their sexuality and relationship they want to contribute to adolescents full social and economic potential, young people need the knowledge and skills to make choices about when to have sex and how to protect themselves. Comprehensive sex education curriculum has been endorsed by various Government educational Organizations and teenage advocacy groups as the most effective educational method for reducing teenage pregnancy with its complications and reduces Sexually Transmitted Diseases (Mueller, 2014).

The Nigerian society today has to grapple with many behavioural problems of its youths; such problems include truancy, disobedience, drug offences, assault, vandalism, examination malpractice, robbery and secret cult activities (Alan, 2010). Apart from these widely publicized behavioural problems, heterosexual activities are also listed among types of behavioural problems prevalent in Nigerian Secondary Schools and that, these variously named in the literature as sex abuse, sex offences, sexual misconduct, sexual immorality, sexual promiscuity and sexual maladjustment (Susan and Wilson, 2016). However, sex education can play a major role in helping teenagers make healthy and responsible decisions about sex, by providing them with the information and skills they need to delay sexual activities to protect themselves. Thus, at the time they begin having sex at a younger age, they are at risk of unintended pregnancy, Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) and its complications (Cynthia, 2017).

Sex is a topic which most people would not like to talk about (Kirby, 2014). Also, he assert that the Nigerian parents‟ attitude towards sex education is that “the child will grow up to know” for that reason, they would not like to discuss any matter pertaining sex in the presence of their children and even if they do, the children would not like to listen. Human sexuality has biological, emotional, physical and spiritual aspect. The biological mechanism or aspect of sexuality refers to the reproductive mechanism as well as the basic biological drive that exists between individuals and is expressed through profound feeding or physical manifestation of emotion, love, trust and caring (Nnachi, 2015).

Sex education is the instruction about sex and humans sexuality which children are supposed to receive sex at all. Correct relevant information should be given to teenagers about the changes and development they observed in their bodies during the period of maturity. The girls develop breast and pelvic bones broadens. This start at the age of twelve years (12) while the boys sexual organs mature, their chest widens and their larynx enlarges. This period in teenagers is very crucial in life of an individual and many frustrations may occur during this stage such as school dropout, sexual immorality, and juvenile delinquency to mention but a few. Those days, sex education matters were hidden from children, they are expected to be given information about sex education so as to break through the desire in them so that they will not go astray. Sex desire can lead to sexual immorality, which can result to unwanted pregnancy, feelings and emotional desires.

Therefore, in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Contribution of Learning and Teaching Sex Education in Senior Secondary School.

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1.3 Statement of Problems

Investigation revealed that a lot of sex related problems facing the youths today is undoubtedly linked with lack of sex education in schools which breeds a lot of social ills, death, population explosion as a result of unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases and even infertility. In their bid to satisfy their curiosity, many youths like to experiment their sexuality which usually leads them to dangerous consequences. Many a times the adolescents receive wrong information about sexuality and these myths and misconception are carried throughout their life time.

In Nigeria, a lot of people are facing the consequences of the sexual life they played while they were young. About 60 percent of youths experienced sexual intercourse before the age of 18 years and only few of this percentage perform it with full knowledge of it. Also, the alarming increase in the incidence of sexually transmitted disease (STDs) in these age groups is a matter of concern.

Many parents lack knowledge on when and how to start teaching their children about sex. They also do not know the importance of sex education. In some cultures, sex education is seen as taboo. Therefore, the study sought to explore the adolescents’ opinion on various sexual issues that account for their sexual development and to establish the need for sex education in schools.

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1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study

The aim of the study is to examine the Contribution of Learning and Teaching Sex Education in Senior Secondary School using Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State as a case study. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:

1. To identify the factors militating against effective teaching of sex education among Senior Secondary School Students;
2. To find out if Senior Secondary School Students are aware of sex education program;
3. To investigate the impacts of sex education among Senior Secondary School Students; and
4. To evaluate the implication of practical demonstration of sex education among Senior Secondary School Students in Oredo Local Government Area.

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1.5 Research Questions

The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:

• Are there factors militating against effective teaching of sex education among Senior Secondary School Students?
• Are Senior Secondary School Students aware of sex education program?
• Does sex education lead to unwanted pregnancies?
• Does sex education enable students’ knowledge of the implication of pre-marital sex?
• Does sex education encourage abortion among female students?
• To what extent does the authority of Oredo Local Government Area encourage sex education?
• What are the impacts of sex education among Senior Secondary School Students?
• What is the implication of practical demonstration of sex education among Senior Secondary School Students in Oredo Local Government Area?

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1.6 Research Hypothesis

In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.

Hypothesis One

• H0: There are no significant factors militating against effective teaching of sex education among Senior Secondary School Students in Oredo Local Government Area
• H1: There are significant factors militating against effective teaching of sex education among Senior Secondary School Students in Oredo Local Government Area

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1.7 Significance of Study

This study will provide concrete answer to the very problem of teaching sex education so as to generate better understanding of how to put forward certain suggestions to the authorities such as ministry of education, the parents, teachers, the schools and general population to develop keen interest. It will provide relevant data for the effective formulation and implementation of policies to enhance the realization of envisaged objective of this research.

This study will also be of immense benefit to other researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.

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1.8 Scope of Study

The scope of the research is focused on the Contribution of Learning and Teaching Sex Education in Senior Secondary School using Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State as a case study.

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1.9 Limitations of the Study

During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:

1. Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
2. Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
3. Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
4. Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).

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1.10 Definition of Terms

Sex Education: Sex education is defined as the education about human sexual anatomy, sexual reproduction, sexual intercourse, and other aspects of human sexual behavior.

Education: Education is viewed as the process of inviting truth and possibility. It is the wise, hopeful and respectful cultivation of learning undertaken in the belief that all should have the chance to share in life.