Perception of teachers to sexuality education in secondary schools in Gaborone, Botswana

Date
2013-03
Authors
Kasonde, Michael
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The role of schools as site for sexual health promotion has been widely acknowledged. Studies have shown that the education sector has a strong potential to make a difference in the fight against HIV and AIDS. Comprehensive sexuality education programs are known to delay initiation of sex, reduce number of sexual partners and increase the use of condoms and other forms of contraceptives. The aim of this study was to establish the attitude and perception of teachers to sexuality education in senior secondary schools in Gaborone, Botswana. This was a cross-sectional, quantitative study aimed at establishing the knowledge and attitudes of 25, randomly selected teachers to sexuality education in secondary schools of Gaborone, Botswana. The survey was conducted using a self-administered, closed-ended, structured questionnaire. Out of 25 respondents, 14 were males and 11 females. The mean age was 44.5years. Eighty percent were married and 20% single. The levels of education of respondents were (60%) with a bachelors’ degree in education, 20% with diploma, 12% with masters’ degree and 8% with certificate in education. Majority (80%) agreed that sexuality education was appropriate and a high proportion of respondents (97%) were willing to teach sexuality education. A greater number of respondents (72%) indicated that sexuality education should include contraceptives, but 64% were of the view that condoms should not be made available to students in secondary schools. Ninety-two percent agreed that sexuality education delays sexual debut and all respondents agreed that sexuality education increases awareness of HIV and AIDS. Overwhelming number of respondents (96%) agreed that sexuality education promotes condom use. Only forty-four percent indicated that the current school curricula were appropriate for teaching sexuality education. Majority (68%) indicated that the school curricula do not cover topics on abortion and communication and negotiation skills to reduce risks for HIV, other sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy. The major barriers to sexuality education are culture (60%) and lack of training (24%).Majority of teachers (64%) indicated that they were not trained to teach sexuality education. Teachers in Gaborone secondary schools are knowledgeable on sexuality education and their attitude and perception of sexuality education are mostly positive. Culture and lack of training are the major barriers to teaching sexuality education in secondary schools. Teachers need in-service training to improve their overall knowledge on sexuality education and modify their cultural beliefs. The school curriculum needs to be updated to include all aspects of sexuality education.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die rol van skole as 'n terrein vir die bevordering van seksuele gesondheid is wyd erken. Studies het getoon dat die onderwys-sektor het 'n sterk potensiaal om 'n verskil te maak in die stryd teen MIV en vigs. Omvattende seksualiteitsopvoeding programme is bekend inleiding van seks te vertraag, die aantal seksuele maats te verminder en die gebruik van kondome en ander vorme van voorbehoedmiddels te verhoog. Die doel van hierdie studie was om die houding en persepsie van onderwysers te seksualiteitsopvoeding in senior sekondêre skole in Gaborone, Botswana te vestig. Dit was 'n deursnee-, kwantitatiewe studie wat gemik is op die stigting van die kennis en houdings van 25 ewekansig geselekteerde onderwysers te seksualiteitsopvoeding in sekondêre skole van Gaborone, Botswana. Die opname is gedoen met behulp van 'n self-geadministreerde, geslote-einde, gestruktureerde vraelys. Uit 25 respondente, 14 mans en 11 vroue. Die gemiddelde ouderdom was 44.5years. Tagtig persent getroud is en 20% enkel. Die vlakke van onderwys van die respondente (60%) met 'n bachelors graad in die onderwys, 20% met die diploma, 12% met die meesters graad en 8% met 'n sertifikaat in die onderwys. Meerderheid (80%) het saamgestem dat seksualiteit, was toepaslik en 'n hoë persentasie van die respondente (97%) was bereid om seksualiteit te leer. 'N groter aantal van die respondente (72%) het aangedui dat seksualiteitsopvoeding voorbehoedmiddels moet insluit, maar 64% was van mening dat kondome nie beskikbaar gestel word aan studente in sekondêre skole. Twee-en-negentig persent ooreengekom dat seksualiteitsopvoeding vertragings seksuele debuut en al die respondente het saamgestem dat seksualiteitsopvoeding verhoog bewustheid van MIV en vigs. Oorweldigende aantal van die respondente (96%) het saamgestem dat seksualiteitsopvoeding bevorder die gebruik van kondome. Slegs 44 persent het aangedui dat die huidige skoolkurrikula geskik was vir die onderrig van seksualiteit. Meerderheid (68%) het aangedui dat die leerplanne van skole nie dek onderwerpe oor aborsie en kommunikasie en onderhandeling vaardighede om risiko's te verminder vir MIV en ander seksueel oordraagbare siektes en swangerskap. Die belangrikste struikelblokke tot seksualiteit is kultuur (60%) en 'n gebrek van opleiding (24%). Meerderheid van onderwysers (64%) het aangedui dat hulle nie opgelei om seksualiteitsopvoeding te leer. Onderwysers in Gaborone sekondêre skole is kundige op seksualiteit en hul houding en persepsie van seksualiteit is meestal positief. Kultuur en gebrek aan opleiding is die belangrikste struikelblokke om seksualiteitsopvoeding in sekondêre skole te onderrig. Onderwysers moet in-diens opleiding hul algehele kennis oor seksualiteit te verbeter en hul kulturele oortuigings te verander. Die skool se kurrikulum moet opgedateer word om alle aspekte van seksualiteit in te sluit.
Description
Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2013.
Keywords
Dissertations -- Industrial psychology, Theses -- Industrial psychology, Assignments -- Industrial psychology, Dissertations -- HIV/AIDS management, Theses -- HIV/AIDS management, Assignments -- HIV/AIDS management, Sex instruction for teenagers -- Botswana -- Gaborone, Sex instruction for teenagers -- Botswana -- Gaborone -- Public opinion, Teachers -- Botswana -- Gaborone -- Attitudes
Citation