Education is a term which describes the process by means of which we come to realise our capacity for human action – that is to say, the capacity which makes it possible for us to act in a manner which appropriately distinguishes us from other objects or beings.
Education is simply one aspect of socialisation. It involves the acquisition of knowledge and the learning of skills. Whether intentionally or unintentionally, education often also helps to shape beliefs and moral values. Education is responsible for teaching children about the important values of society, and what is expected from them in society. The individual is made aware of his/her commitment to society, and made to feel that a united whole is more important than the individual. Education provides the link between the individual and society. An educational curriculum helps to instill shared norms and values into a population with diverse backgrounds.
It is within this context that the education of a child from infancy to maturity obviously involves more than the parents. It is not a question of either the school or the parents, but of the school complementing the work of the home rather than acting as a substitute. Frequently, however, the home fails to supply what is necessary, prompting a gap in the growing child’s education. It is a collective responsibility by the three-fold pillars to supply what is lacking and strongly emphasise what is perceived as a threat for a child.
In the wider spectrum, schools lean on the promotion of a safer sex awareness, leaving the decision to the individual child to or not to have protected sex, unlike at church level, where the command remains abstinence until marriage. This phenomenon from the school approach in my personal perspective has aided a high number of teenage pregnancies. According to the education ministry, our country recorded 3627 cases in 2020 (Namibian Sun, 24 March 2022), even though there are many options given at schools like birth control pills, condoms and more, which information is provided by their sex education teacher.
There is only one way to keep from getting pregnant, and that is abstinence. But that isn’t practical, as such statements confuse the child because of the two different moral teachings. The five envisaged thematic action plans could be a long-lasting solution when it comes to sexual issues at schools.
Parents, on the other hand, don’t want to talk openly about sex with their children, and this is worsening the child’s upbringing in sexual education. Children then resort to talking to their friends, reading and watching pornographic movies, and filling their minds with these things, to the point where their minds are obsessed with it.
It is important that schools are firm in their moral teachings and avoid confusing children. Children should at least be taught on areas such as personality development, with emphasis on self-dignity, self-awareness, character formation and the development of virtues. Human development – focusing on biological awareness, socialisation –encompasses relationships within the family, discipline and religion.
Talking about sex in the church is a very sensitive aspect because church leaders have not done it before, and sometimes they believe that a holy place should not be made unholy by such talks. But sex was God’s initial idea, and He talks a great deal about sex in the Bible! (Prov. 5). If the church becomes more involved in helping people to understand their sexuality, there will be fewer problems for intervention. Why don’t we talk about the things God talks about? Here are some of the presumed reasons:
We have not thought about acceptable words to use for sexual activity.
We have not set aside time when we will talk about these things.
We do not make a plan for teaching our youth or parents about good sex.
The church can influence sex education in two ways: Indirectly, by encouraging and instructing parents about what to teach at home, and directly through sermons, classes, discussion groups and retreats. This teaching must involve giving factual information, but of equal importance is teaching based on principles of morality. This teaching must be honest, practical and in good faith.
In conclusion, the involvement of both the church, schools and parents in sexual education is of utmost importance, beginning first at home and continuing in church and at school level. As mentioned, it is important that it enables learners to like and respect themselves, and enhance their self-esteem and self-awareness. It’s very crucial that children should see sexuality education as a natural and positive part of their life. Such education needs to help children to act in accordance with the values of their society. It must also enrich children through informing them on how to protect themselves from abuse and any other social issues that might affect them in society. Such education needs to encourage children to talk about their sexuality with their parents. I am eagerly awaiting to see and hope that the upcoming education transforming summit slated for later this year will in the long run bear its fruit of accelerating and totally transforming our educational system at all levels.