Delivery of Sex Education to Adolescents in Lesotho

Akim Mturi, University of Natal
Monique Hennink, University of Southampton

This paper discusses strategies for the delivery of sex education to adolescents in Lesotho. The study uses a qualitative methodology. The data for this study was collected in two phases, covering four districts. First, in 1999, ten focus group discussions were conducted with adolescents attending secondary schools. The second phase, conducted in 2000, involved 36 focus group discussions with parents and teachers. There is universal agreement among parents, teachers and adolescents that sex education should be introduced in schools curricula. There is a belief that if sex education is taught as a formal subject in schools, teachers will be able to provide adolescents with information on sexuality and sexual health and parents will be encouraged to discuss matters of sexuality in the home. The results of this study indicate that adolescents, parents and teachers are in support the Lesotho Government's initiative to incorporate sex education into the school curriculum.