Teachers from far-western districts have tendency to avoid chapters related to sex education and reproductive health while students remain absent when such chapters are being taught, journalists and officials from Accham and Bajura district said.

The curriculum of Health, Population and Environment subject in the secondary level constitute chapters related to reproductive health, sexuality and adolescent education. However, the teaching and learning of such chapters are being avoided as talking such issues in a conservative society is a matter of shame.

A workshop was organised by Education Journalist Network with support from UNESCO country office in the districts in the last week of October where it was revealed that teachers either try to avoid such chapters and ask students for self study or students themselves remain absent while such topics are being taught. Such issues are seldom discussed in the classrooms.

“There is also a tendency among students to not answer the questions related to sexual education and reproductive health even during the examinations,” said Tek Bahadur Khadka, journalists from Achham.

Bishwo Raj Dhakal, school supervisor from the district, accepts the fact saying ‘this is due to the lack of awareness among the teachers and students and claimed that the practice, however, is gradually decreasing’. He claimed that parents, students and teachers need to understand that sex education is one of the most essential things the students needs to learn to make right decisions in their lives.

According to Bajura-based journalist Tula Ram Jaisi, also an activist in the district, people from the district feel that such issues should not be discussed openly and such talks should be kept secret. The people believe that such discussions have not just been affecting the education of the students but also their health.

“The more we have healthy discussions on the issues, the better will be prosper on living a better lifestyle,” said Ramesh Kunwar, district health officer from Bajura.