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‘Virginity is a virtue: prevent early sex’: teacher perceptions of sex education in a Ugandan secondary school

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posted on 2023-06-15, 20:54 authored by Padmini Iyer, Peter Aggleton
Sex education is a politically contentious issue in many countries, and there are numerous, competing ideologies relating to the most appropriate methods to teach young people about sexual and reproductive health. This paper examines policy and practice in Uganda in light of two contrasting ideologies, namely morally conservative and comprehensive rights-based approaches to sex education. After a brief description of these approaches, findings from a preliminary qualitative study among teachers working in a non-governmental organisation-run secondary school in Uganda are discussed. Teachers’ responses are analysed against the background of current Ugandan sex education policies. The paper considers the implications of the conservative morality informing both Ugandan government policy and teachers’ implementation of sex education at the focus school. It is argued that, in the light of young Ugandans’ attitudes towards and often varied experiences of sexuality, a comprehensive rights-based approach to sex education may be more appropriate in the described setting.

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Accepted version

Journal

British Journal of Sociology of Education

ISSN

0142-5692

Publisher

Taylor & Francis

Issue

3

Volume

35

Page range

432-448

Department affiliated with

  • Education Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2015-07-24

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2015-07-24

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2015-07-24

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