Why sex education is not mandatory at all UAE schools

A school principal explains why sex education is not mandatory at all schools at present.

Ibrahim Baraka, principal of Al Shola Private School in Sharjah, explained that there is no Ministry of Education edict that makes sex education mandatory for either public or private schools. However, schools across the country, he said, are advised to organise events that would help raise general awareness of other related topics, such as verbal and physical child abuse.

“Private schools that offer sex education lectures or programmes are doing so as part of a personal initiative. Other private schools that do not offer any form of sex education and awareness programmes fear many factors since this topic - sex education -  is a double-edged sword, as there can be a reaction from conservative families and this is the case in almost all Arab countries," he said.

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At schools like Al Shola, which has more than 2,000 pupils, some parents wouldn’t of such programmes, he added.

“Some may fear that it will be an eye-opener for students rather than being a protection shield and that’s why the material and content of such lectures must be drafted very carefully and by highly qualified specialists,” he said. “And it has to be part of a wider system adopted by each and every entity and institution that deals with children in targeted age groups. “Parents as well have to take part for all of us to complete each other’s roles for the greater good of our children”

“Some may fear that it will be an eye-opener for students rather than being a protection shield and that’s why the material and content of such lectures must be drafted very carefully and by highly qualified specialists,” he said. “And it has to be part of a wider system adopted by each and every entity and institution that deals with children in targeted age groups. “Parents as well have to take part for all of us to complete each other’s roles for the greater good of our children”