According to a study survey on sex education, at least 68 per cent of the respondents said they were given sex education at school when it was “too late,” while another 59 per cent said the information given was insufficient,

The study formed part of a thesis by Louise Cini that examined young people’s views on the sex education they received at school.

The sample was made up of 150 youths aged between 16 and 18. Of these, 19 per cent (27) were 16-year-olds, 49 per cent (74) were 17-years-olds, and 32 per cent (49) were 18-year-olds.

Just over half – 55 per cent, (82) – were females and 45 per cent (68) were males.

Over half of the respondents, 57 per cent (86), attended State schools, 27 per cent (41) went to Church schools while the remaining 15 per cent (23) attended private schools.

Another 29 per cent said the talks were given at the right time while only five per cent said that it was “too early”.

A minority, six per cent, said that although the facts were well explained, “they had already learnt through experience” what was being taught.

The information given was also said to be insufficient with 59 per cent of respondents choosing this answer. Another 37 per cent said it was sufficient while only six per cent said they received “excess information.”

The majority of the respondents (43 per cent) said that schools should provide sex education, followed by 19 per cent who said it should first be given by parents.

The research also found that there is a clear hierarchy in the topics covered in sex education in schools.

Fewer than 32 per cent of the respondents said that homosexuality, wet dreams, orgasm and masturbation were covered in their sex education classes.

The girls said they received more information about issues related to reproduction as opposed to men.

However, the male respondents said that more emphasis was made on sexual intercourse and safe sex, wet dreams, orgasm and masturbation.

Ms Cini pointed out that sex educators see these topics as “boy’s issues” adding that due to the “religious and moral climate... little attempt is made to prepare young people for this aspect of adulthood, which is recognising the responsibility and indeed pitfalls of sex,” while at the same time exploring sexuality, recognising the positive aspects of sex and thus making informed choices.”

In fact, only 22.8 per cent of respondents attending Church schools said that they discussed orgasm, wet dreams and masturbation.

Another 68 per cent of respondents who had attended Church schools said they did not receive enough information, while 28 per cent said the information was sufficient.

The difference was not so marked in private and State schools. Around 40 per cent of students in State schools said the information was insufficient as opposed to almost 50 per cent who said it was adequate.

Personal and Social Development (PSD) teachers delivered the majority of the sex education talks (72 per cent), and 23 per cent said both PSD teachers and guest speakers gave the talks. Only five per cent said that guest speakers delivered all the sex education talks.

An overwhelming 82 per cent said that the person delivering the lecture “was not always proficient in the delivery,” while the remaining 12 per cent said the lecturer was capable enough.

The respondents also said that they felt the lecturer was biased on certain topics when speaking about sex education.

Eight-six per cent of males and 11 per cent of females felt that “although menstruation was explained, whoever delivered the information was biased because of gender.”

Another 71 per cent said the sex education they received did not persuade them to change their sexual lifestyles.

“Some claimed that whatever they were taught was nothing new and they therefore knew how to handle the situation,” the report said.

However, 13 per cent said that they were not ready to change their sexual lifestyles even though some of the information was new to them and only 15 per cent said they did change their lifestyles.

The majority of the respondents (87 per cent) said that most of the lecturers “dealt only with biological aspects and the issues were put in a way that it inhibited them from asking questions.”

Over half (64 per cent) said that the way sex education sessions are delivered should be changed drastically. One respondent said the lectures should be delivered by someone who is not narrow-minded or has prejudices and went on to add that it is important that sexual education should not be understood as something negative.

Twenty-seven per cent said that certain topics were just given a passing mention during the talks or just not discussed at all.

The report said that lecturers should be chosen “according to their competence on dealing with these issues.”