Catholic bishops oppose introduction of sex education for Grade 7 pupils

According to the clerics, introducing family planning and the use of contraceptives for young learners will sexualize the learning environment, contributing significantly to the high rates of teenage pregnancies and abortion.

The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops chairman, Paul Njiru, said in a statement Tuesday at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa that such educational content will only encourage learners to use contraception.

“We note that the content not only sexualizes the learning environment for minors but will also be the biggest contributor to the high rates of teenage pregnancies and abortion,” Bishop Paul Kariuki said during the media briefing. 

According to Bishop Kariuki, the content violates the Ministry of Education's policy prohibiting children from being exposed to explicit content.

"We observe that the said content is against the Ministry of Education Policy that children should not be exposed to such explicit content."  Said Bishop Kariuki. 

The bishops claimed that the content of the aforementioned publications fails to establish abstinence as the expected standard for all children.

"Looking at the Grade 7 Learner’s book titled “Top Scholar Health Education” by the Kenya Literature Bureau under Strand 7 on Human Reproductive Health, sub- strand 7.2 on Reproductive Health on page 127 and Grade 7 Teacher’s Guide titled “Health Education in Action” by Oxford University Press under Strand 7 on Human Reproductive Health, sub-strand 7.2 on Reproductive Health on page 153 have created room for introduction of family planning and encouragement of the use of contraception to very young learners,” Bishop Kariuki added. 

The KCCB argued that if left unchecked, the promotion of family planning at the primary level of education could lead to an increase in abortions among teenagers.

The clergy urged principals of Catholic schools to continue instilling good moral values in their students.