In response to growing concern about the prevalence of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) among students, the Federal Government, through the National Council on Education has approved the introduction of sexuality and HIV/AIDS education in the nation's educational system. In introducing the programme, the Minister for Education stated that "the National Educational Research Development Council has produced a culturally sensitive and acceptable curriculum on Family Life and HIV/AIDS education".

The report further states that the programme is part of the new national curriculum for public schools, both tertiary and secondary. The objective is to educate students on sexuality, sexually transmitted diseases and reproductive health. We are familiar with stories of teenagers who have lost their lives while procuring illegal abortions. The effort aimed at mass education is commendable. It is one of the obligations of government to ensure that citizens are not exposed to health dangers which could ruin or terminate lives. The current situation where teenagers lose their lives to due to wrong healthcare choices is unfortunate.

The statistics proffered on HIV/AIDS , by the World Health Organisation (WHO) are frightening. Indeed if the figures produced by the international health bodies are anything to go by, the African continent faces a pandemic. Worst hit are the youths, the fulcrum of the nation's working population. For example, in Nigeria, the rate of HIV infection is put at an alarming percentage .

There have been media campaigns to draw attention to the scourge that is HIV/AIDS. Judging by the rate of new infections, these campaigns do not seem to have deterred people from practising unsafe sex. Teenage boys and girls seem to take delight in casual sexual relationships, in the name of having fun. Also, there have been reports on the rate of unwanted pregnancies among secondary school students. Owing to the stigma attached to teenage pregnancy, most victims resort to the services of quack doctors. There is therefore the need to educate our youth on sexuality.

However, some pertinent and disturbing questions arise. Was there sufficient consultation before the policy was adopted? Is the same course going to be taught to both secondary students and university undergraduates? Is the policy sensitive to religious sentiments? For example, are Christians and Muslims comfortable with the policy? Are parents sufficiently informed about the policy? Is it possible that teenagers might choose to experiment with what they had learnt? Will there be examination on the subject? What has happened to the moral codes which governed our world?

Some have expressed opposition to sexuality education in secondary schools. Such critics argue that the very fact that teenagers are being taught facts about their sexuality could produce the opposite effect. In other words, they could, for example, decide to practice safe sex rather than abstinence which is recommended for their age. They may also become morally loose having being exposed to practical sex that may not result in pregnancy.

The other school contends that even if these children are not taught, they are likely to discover things for themselves, sometimes in a most disastrous manner. There are books, films and websites which actively promote sexuality education. The arrival of cable television has not helped matters. Some children have been caught watching movies and programmes meant for adults. Proponents of sexuality education also argue that the nation's moral education programme has not had any effect on the youth. Instead of growth, there seems to be degeneration in standards. Against this background therefore, it has been argued that we would be playing the ostrich if we ignored the issue of sexuality in our schools' curricula.

There is no gainsaying the fact that our society has witnessed a collapse in our moral values. Sexual permissiveness, as an implicit message in foreign media has helped to damage the moral fabric of our society. To restore sanity, all hands ought to be on deck. Parents, teachers, and religious leaders should endeavour to stress positive behaviour among our youth.

What this means is that parents should set good examples for their children; pastors and imams should stress the need for abstinence until marriage. Counsellors in the schools should impart the desired information bearing in mind the age bracket of their audience. Counselling rather than instruction would even be more effective in communicating the importance of safe sex. We therefore suggest the use of counsellors in the programme. Such counsellors should be mature persons who are likely to be more circumspect in handling this rather sensitive subject.

Finally, in trying to implement the policy, government should strike a balance between educating the youth through a formal programme and ensuring that the education itself does not become a source of dangerous experimentation. Parents should be more involved in the activities of their wards and children.