TRAINING OF SCHOOL TEACHERS ON COMPREHENSIVE SEXUAL EDUCATION

Abstract

Comprehensive sexual education plays an important role in promoting sexual health in children and adolescents. The objective was to identify characteristics of the training of school teachers on comprehensive sexual education. A descriptive quantitative method was used, a pilot convenience sample of 34 school teachers residing in the Metropolitan Region was selected. The data was collected through a self-reported survey of our own construction during the first half of 2024. The data analysis was presented in tables as frequencies and percentages. As a result, the sample had an age range of 27 to 67 years, 52.9% reported having received comprehensive sexual education only in basic education and 41.2% only in secondary education. The preferred teaching methodology with 64.7% is group discussion and conversation. Regarding myths, 94.1% disagree that teaching how to put on condoms and use contraceptive methods encourages early initiation of sexual activity, and 97.1% disagree that providing anatomy information should be done separately for boys and girls. On the other hand, 94.12% agree that it should be integrated into the different educational levels and 88.24% that educating about sexual diversity promotes respect and reduces bullying.

In conclusion, the persistence of gaps that exist in educational standards around sexual education and evidence of the need to unify these learnings continue to be barriers to be addressed with teacher training on the subject and clear guidelines through intersectoral work.