PERCEPTIONS AND CHALLENGES OF SEXUALITY EDUCATION AMONG SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AND TEACHERS WITHIN TAMALE METROPOLIS

Abstract

Sexuality education in schools is known to be important but individuals have different perceptions about it and its existence in schools is also fraught with challenges. The aim of the study was to examine the perception and challenges of sexuality education among senior high school students and teachers within Tamale Metropolis. The study adopted a mixed method approached with a cross sectional design. A multistage sampling technique was used to select 267 students who answered the questionnaires and purposive sampling was used to select 6 teachers who were interviewed. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.0 was used to analyse the quantitative data and the qualitative data were analysed manually using thematic analysis. It was found out that respondents had good knowledge on SRH and bad attitude towards contraceptives and abortion. Contraceptive usage and ever had sex was significant (p< 0.04). Mother was the most important and preferred source of information on SRH. Sexuality education was viewed as important and helps improve knowledge on sexual and reproductive health and do not promote promiscuity but concentrate only on abstinence. Fear of being tagged as a bad girl or boy, religious contradictions, name calling, discomfort and shyness were challenges faced by students. Lack of teaching and learning materials, time and curriculum design, personal beliefs, cultural values, over excitement of students and lack of special training were challenges faced by teachers. Teachers should be trained and equipped with the needed materials to teach sexual and reproductive health topics.