The quality of sex education in Hong Kong has always been criticized. Both the content and the number of hours have been criticized for improvement over the years. Faced with the tightness of school hours in middle schools under the epidemic, sex education has been sacrificed again.
In order to understand the status of sex education in middle schools in Hong Kong, the MWYO Youth Office launched a survey in January this year. From the perspective of middle school students, they understand their views on the current sex education curriculum in schools, so as to provide the government and schools with practical policy recommendations. Sex education can be closer to the needs of students.
From January to May this year, the MWYO Youth Office conducted questionnaire surveys in 12 middle schools in Hong Kong, and collected nearly 5,516 questionnaires from middle school students. It also invited some teachers to conduct interviews to understand the evaluation and status of middle school students on current school sex education. In order to examine the current deficiencies of sex education, it is the most desired to learn in the relationship between the sexes.
From January to May this year, the MWYO Youth Office conducted questionnaire surveys in 12 middle schools in Hong Kong, and collected nearly 5,516 questionnaires from middle school students. It also invited some teachers to conduct interviews to understand the evaluation and status of middle school students on current school sex education. In order to examine the current deficiencies of sex education, it is the most desired to learn in the relationship between the sexes.
(Photo by Li Qianting)
Sex education hours are less than two hours per year. Quality varies
Researcher Justin said that due to the impact of the epidemic, all secondary schools are experiencing full or partial suspension during the questionnaire survey, and class time has been greatly reduced. More than 80% of middle school students surveyed said that the average number of hours of sex education each year is less than two hours.
Justin pointed out that many schools used to hold lectures during morning meetings and weekly meetings. However, due to the tight school hours, schools cancelled these activities. Compared with the guidelines issued by the Education Bureau in 1997, it is recommended that schools conduct at least 7 hours of sex education each year. It can be seen that the current sex education hours are seriously insufficient.
Justin also pointed out that sex education is categorized as whole-person education and life education, and the hours before the epidemic are often divided.
Researcher Justin (right) pointed out that many schools used to hold lectures during morning meetings and weekly meetings. However, due to the tight class hours, schools cancelled these activities. Compared with the guidelines issued by the Education Bureau in 1997, it is recommended that schools conduct at least 7 hours a year. It can be seen that the current sex education hours are seriously insufficient.
(Photo by Li Qianting)
Justin also pointed out that the current results of sex education are not as good as expected. Nearly 40% of students think that the content of sex education provided by school teachers (36%) and tutors (45%) outside the school is dull.
Justin said that teachers and tutors of off-campus institutions have their own advantages. The distance between teachers and students is relatively close, and they can respond to students’ doubts immediately, and it will not be too embarrassing to talk about sex knowledge. On the other hand, the content of sex education lectures provided by off-campus institutions is professional and stable. , And the content is updated frequently, but many teachers report that the lectures are dull and students find it difficult to participate.
To make students more engaged, we must first understand their needs and interests. Justin believes that the school is "not ideal" in responding to students' needs. Most high school students think that the teaching is insufficient, and most boys are interested in masturbation topics (33 %) As an example, nearly 80% (83%) of students “feel not enough to teach”. In this regard, it is suggested that the allocation of topics to the school should follow the students’ interests and expectations.
The research also describes the views of middle school students on the current teaching mode and content. Nearly 70% (71%) of the interviewed middle school students believe that sex education should teach more practical knowledge, such as how to use condoms, how to refuse or agree to have sex, and how to Perform safe sex, etc.
Justin said that only about 30% of the interviewees agreed that "increasing the description of sexual behavior will indirectly encourage students to engage in premarital sex. Many documents reflect that "effective sex education can delay the age at which sexual behavior occurs and encourage the use of safety measures.", In addition, about 60% to 50% of students believe that sex education should be conducted in small classes (59%) and gender (52%) separately. Justin explained that many junior high school students are in puberty and will inevitably feel a little embarrassed. Therefore, schools are advised Obtaining opinions, so that students can speak more freely.
As for the concept of safe sex, Justin said that the concept of Hong Kong middle school students is still correct. Nearly 80% (79%) of junior high school students and 90% (89%) of high school students will choose male condoms for safe sex, which can effectively reduce transmission. The risk of venereal diseases.
Research institutes urge to clarify the legal definition of “consent to have sex”
Based on the above observations, another researcher Angus said that many teachers reported that they sometimes want to hire an off-campus institution to provide sex education for students, but the school funding is insufficient to implement it. Therefore, the government is urged to provide more sex education funds for schools. , Sex education can be included in the "Quality Education Fund", while providing sex education training for teachers, so that they can solve students' doubts about sex at any time.
Researcher Angus said that many teachers have reported that they sometimes want to hire off-campus institutions to provide sex education for students. However, school funding is not enough to implement them. Therefore, the government is urged to provide more sex education funds for schools, and sex education can be included in the "Quality Education Fund". ".
(Photo by Li Qianting)
Angus also stated that the government should update the school sex education guidelines every five years because the current guidelines are not exhaustive; the law should also clarify the definition of "consent", as the study found that one quarter (25%) of high school boys I am vague in terms of "sexual permission", that is, agreeing to meet the intimacy requirements of the other party even if one of them is reluctant during a relationship. Therefore, Angus believes that relevant concepts should be included in the relevant guidelines, and it is recommended that the relevant departments can refer to legal reforms. The guidelines of the Committee in 2019 stated that “agreeing to represent a person freely and voluntarily to give consent to a sexual activity, and to have the capacity to give consent to a sexual activity, is to give consent to a sexual activity”.
In addition, Angus pointed out that the government should assist and require schools to formulate policies related to sex education, such as sexual harassment, sexual assault, and unmarried pregnancy.
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