‘Schools should notjust teach sexuality’

Thembinkosi Manda, a 16-year-old Form Four student at Katoto Secondary School in Mzuzu, values her health rights. Having seen her peers struggle to enjoy their sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR), she has joined the push for youth-friendly policies. Thembinkosi wants secondary school students allowed access to SRHR services on campus.

She believes contraceptives and sexual information cannot divert young people’s attention from school to risky sexual activity. Rather, she is convinced that accessible SRHR commodities and information can help the youth understand how their body work and protect themselves. “I wish students who need SRHR services could access them within their schools,” says Thembinkosi.

“Our needs are different and it is no longer a secret that parents know that their children are sexually active.” Strangely, the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology teaches SRHR issues in schools, but the National Education Policy prohibits SRHR services, including condoms and contraceptives, within 100 metres. The Gender Equality Act of 2013 provides the right to adequate sexual and reproductive health services, including contraception and protection from sexually transmitted infections. However, the national policy only allow provision of contraceptives in colleges.

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This presents a silent barrier for sexually active girls and boys in secondary school who require SRHR information and services in a safe and friendly setting. Thembinkosi finds the blanket policy disconnected from reality. Another Form Four student Agnes Munthali says schools should let students make independent but informed decisions.

“The policy is a huge barrier. It feels as though our rights are taken away. Keeping SRHR services out of campus only works for those who don’t the services,” she says. Katoto Secondary School teacher-mentor and matron Josephine Kitalo opposes the calls for the policy change.

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