gay sex education plan launched

By Ayanda Mhlongo and Irene Kuppan (IOL)

February 8, 2007: Lessons on homosexuality could soon become part of life orientation classes taught in KwaZulu-Natal's high schools.

A pilot project is currently being run in Gauteng, and the KZN Department of Education confirmed there had been talks with local gay and lesbian groups to implement a similar programme in KZN.

While some education stakeholders and religious groups have said the project would be an important component of sexual education in schools, others have warned that parents and religious communities must be consulted to ensure that the content is appropriate.

Out, a non-profit organisation that works towards empowering lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender peoples' organisations, was one of the groups that initiated the proposal for homosexuality lessons to the national education department.

Out's programme manager Melanie Judge said they were in the process of finalising material for the programme.

Chairperson of the KZN School Governing Body Association Reginald Chiliza, said while the association will have to accept the inclusion of the programme because they are bound by the constitution of the country, it was unlikely that parents would accept it.

"We still need to seriously discuss the matter with our members and will also have to see what would actually be taught to the children."

"There are still a lot of issues that have to be addressed with our children which have not been done.

"Some of our teachers and parents are still battling to teach our children lessons on sex education and adding homosexuality to the list could add to the problem."

Chiliza said there were schools in the province that were founded by religious organisations, like the Catholic and Muslim schools, and it would be highly unlikely that these schools would be in support of the programme.

Sayed Rajack, chairperson of the KZN Parents' Association, said they would expect the department to consult extensively with the relevant stakeholders before including the programme as part of a subject.

"We will have to study the material and carefully look at what will be taught to the pupils. If children are not taught properly they could react differently to what the lessons intended to achieve," he said.

Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission Jody Kollapen, said the inclusion of homosexuality in life orientation lessons should be encouraged.

"Parents should not be overly concerned because the project is not about advancing the campaign for gay people. It is about creating a space to respect people's differences," he said.

Ashwin Trikamjee, president of the South African Hindu Maha Sabha, said: "If these lessons on homosexuality are going to be part of a larger sexual education programme then we have no problem with it.

"In that context it would be about making schoolchildren aware of life and this is important. But if there is going to be gay and lesbian education exclusively, then the religious community should be consulted on how far it should go."

However, the Council of Muslim Theologians in KZN has objected to the proposal.

Mufti Bayat, secretary-general for the council, said: "The Islamic position on homosexuality is absolutely unequivocal. There is no difference of opinion, or interpretation of any sort on the fact that homosexuality is strictly prohibited."

He said: "We have not seen the programme, but should it support homosexuality or promote it as an acceptable practice, we will definitely object to this strongly.

"It would not be fair to force these views on the majority of learners who do not subscribe to this practice."

The programme will involve sensitising teachers and educating pupils on issues relating to homosexuality.

Teachers will also be advised on how to deal with children's questions on sexuality. Pamphlets on sexuality, gender and discrimination form part of the programme material.