In a conference this week at Dar Ġużeppa Debono in Gozo, Bishop Mario Grech stated that the education system may be abusing students if it teaches them about contraception instead of teaching students how to control their sexual urges. In fact according to Grech teaching students about contraception encourages them to give in to the “culture of pleasure”.
Alternattiva Demokratika Zghazagh praised the words of Dr Carabott (GU Clinic) who said “The role of an education programme should be to teach students to live their sexuality in a mature way. Sexuality is more than sex. There is no harm in teaching them about contraception but students should be given all the information: how safe, how unsafe and the health hazards.”
ADZ spokesperson Dirk Urpani added “It is irresponsible of Grech to accuse the education system of being abusive to students for educating them on the theme of contraception. Malta is among the countries with the highest teenage pregnancy rate. And this is only one side of the coin since sexually transmitted diseases among youth are also on the rise among youths in the Maltese Islands, Clearly more education needs to take place with regards educating youths to use contraception.”
It is the responsibility of the state to include the theme of sexuality in the educative system since sexual health is part of youth development. Currently sex education includes information on contraception as well as other themes such STDs, self-respect, and other themes on sexuality which may not necessarily be directly reflecting the theme of sexual intercourse. Accusing teachers of abuse shows a lack of understanding of the positive educational experience in schools around Malta and Gozo.
ADZ – Green Youth Malta
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