The introduction of the Life Skills Based Sexuality Education (LBSE) curriculum by the Ministry of Education and Training at the secondary school level has sparked mixed reactions in Lesotho. While some education leaders praise the curriculum as a success story with minor challenges, others view it as a disaster, citing unintended consequences and community concerns.
In an interview with the Agency, District Education Manager (DEM) Mrs. ‘Maposholi Posholi expressed strong support for the LBSE program, calling it a success with a rating of 90%. According to Mrs. Posholi, the main challenge facing the implementation of the curriculum is the resistance from some parents. Many parents have raised concerns that discussing topics related to sexuality and relationships may encourage immoral behavior among their children. Additionally, some parents consider these discussions taboo, making it difficult for them to embrace the curriculum fully.
Despite these challenges, Mrs. Posholi noted that most high schools in the district had effectively integrated the LBSE curriculum, with teachers and students actively participating in the lessons. However, some schools have faced serious difficulties, particularly in the context of younger students. Reports have emerged of unintended pregnancies among learners, especially in primary schools, which have raised alarms about the curriculum’s impact.
In the district, there have been troubling reports from three primary schools where learners in grades six and seven—some as young as 12 years old—have become pregnant. These cases reportedly involved married men who took advantage of the students, some of whom were living with relatives in South Africa while their parents worked abroad. This has prompted concerns that the curriculum may have unintentionally created a platform for sexual exploration at an early age, despite its original intent to educate students about healthy relationships, personal boundaries, and the importance of safe sexual practices.
While some argue that the LBSE curriculum is an important tool for equipping students with knowledge about sexuality and relationships, others worry that it may be too advanced for younger students or fail to address the real-world issues that many of them face, particularly in communities where early marriages and child pregnancies are still prevalent.
The debate around LBSE continues to evolve, with calls for a balanced approach that includes more parental involvement, cultural sensitivity, and age-appropriate content. As the Ministry of Education and Training works to refine the curriculum, the feedback from educators, parents, and students will remain crucial in shaping the future of sexual education in Lesotho’s schools.
