ABUJA – A Guidance and Counselling Officer, Mrs Deborah Menegbe, African Community School, Abuja, has called for early introduction of reproductive health education in the school curriculum.
Menegbe told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja that this would increase their knowledge to make informed decisions on sex education.
“It is important for sex education to be integrated into the school curriculum and the parents also have a role to play.
“Sex education means giving enlightenment to a growing child about the dangers involved in an unhealthy relationship with the opposite sex.”
She said when a child lacks exposure on the knowledge of the different reproductive health organs that has a lot of implications.
She explained that children have been victims of sexual abuse from uncontrolled adults because of ignorance.
“The things that parents think they cannot tell their child, the child is exposed to it by their peer group, the internet and the media.
“It is important that from the age of six, a parent should begin to educate the child, and by the age of 10, the child should be fully educated on reproductive health.’’
With six year olds, she said, all sensitive parts of the body should be pointed at for the child, adding that the child should be told not to allow any body touch him or her there.
The counsellor encouraged parents to be friends with their children in order to become their confidant.
“This includes discussing the reproductive organs in the body and how the child can avoid placing themselves in a dangerous position and the dangers of sex before marriage.
“The home is the agent of change, so it is necessary for the parents to begin educating from the home and at school, the teachers can play their part also.’’
She also advised parents to have ‘wisdom talks’ with their children that may not necessarily be from the Bible or Quran.
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She said that through the use of folk tales that teach morals to children they can open up discussions.
She urged parents and teachers to also be very careful in their language as not to become vulgar with the child.
Menegbe enjoined parents to monitor the conversations that their wards are exposed to, adding that their indulgence on the use of internet should be regulated. (NAN)
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