Schools take sex education seriously

"We’ve got to make sure our young men are getting these messages loud and clear." Boys’ High rector Dave Bovey

Teaching strategies for sex education vary in Manawatu high schools, with many making use of well-established national programmes.

Fairfax this week revealed less than a quarter of secondary schools were using Mates and Dates, a government-endorsed and funded programme teaching teenagers about consent.

Palmerston North Boys’ High School rector David Bovey said the school discussed sex education issues and safety in various forums, brought police educators in to teach consent issues and uses Mates and Dates.

‘‘We’ve got to make sure our young men are getting these messages loud and clear... how to treat people respectfully, as you’d like to be treated.’’

Freyberg High School head of health Dianne Stewart said the school took a broad approach to ‘‘health education’’, including using Family Planning Association material. Sex education was contentious, and the school focused on healthy relationships and building selfworth.

‘‘I don’t think they are at the stage in development to take on the learning. You’re at a stage where kids, teenagers... make poor decisions. That part of the brain isn’t engaged, they are impulsive beings. ‘‘Year 12 and 13 [is more appropriate]. ‘‘If you’ve got good self worth and know what a healthy relationship is, you’re not going to be sexting.’’

Allocated health education hours had been ‘‘whittled away’’ to 20 hours a year, and it was difficult to respond quickly to rapidly evolving media, social media and social environments in a ‘‘sexually saturated society’’, because programmes had to be put through school community consultation before they could be introduced, she said.

Manawatu College introduced Mates and Dates this year and Awatapu College introduced Loves Me Not last week.