Involvement of teachers, parents and community in life skills and sex education in South African secondary schools

Abstract

The aim of this study was to explore the involvement of parents and community in life skills and sex education. The study sample included 150 teachers selected through stratified proportional random sampling in South Africa. Teachers were interviewed at schools using a semi-structured interview guide. Results indicated that the majority of the teachers recognized the importance of parental and community involvement, and 50% and 25% actually had involved parents and communities respectively in their life skills and sex education programme. The methods used for parental and community involvement included consultation and sensitization meetings with parents and the community and sending students home with assignments requiring parental support. There is need to develop a standard protocol on parents and community involvement for life skills and sex education programmes that is culture sensitive.