Catholic Bishops Condemn Explicit Sex Education Content in Grade 7 Textbooks

The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) has criticized explicit sex education content in Grade 7 textbooks that seeks to replace the teaching of abstinence with family planning.

According to the clerics, introducing family planning and the use of contraceptives for young learners will considerably contribute to the high rates of teen pregnancy and abortion by sexualizing the learning environment.

Paul Njiru, the chairman of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops, stated on Tuesday at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa that such educational content will only encourage students to use contraception.

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

According to Bishop Kariuki, the content violates the policy of the Ministry of Education prohibiting children’s exposure to explicit content.

Bishop Kariuki stated that they have noted that the mentioned content contradicts the Ministry of Education’s policy, which strictly advocates against exposing children to explicit material.

The bishops asserted that the aforementioned publications fail to establish abstinence as the expected norm for all children.

Bishop Kariuki highlighted that upon reviewing the Grade 7 Learner’s book titled “Top Scholar Health Education,” published by the Kenya Literature Bureau, and the Grade 7 Teacher’s Guide titled “Health Education in Action,” published by Oxford University Press, specific sections were identified.

These sections, particularly Strand 7 on Human Reproductive Health and sub-strand 7.2 on Reproductive Health found on page 127 of the Learner’s book and page 153 of the Teacher’s Guide, have raised concerns.

Bishop Kariuki emphasized that these sections have opened the door for the introduction of family planning concepts and the promotion of contraceptive use to a rather young audience.

The KCCB argued that the promotion of family planning at the primary level of education could contribute to an increase in teenage abortions if left unchecked.

The clergy urged Catholic school principals to continue imparting moral values in students.

Catholic Bishops Condemn Explicit Sex Education Content in Grade 7 Textbooks