'These lesson plans are necessary' says a parent after reading Grade 4 and 5 sex-ed curriculum

The updates to the sex-ed curriculum lesson plans brought out different emotions and reactions from parents nationally: many are angry and demanding that this curriculum not to be rolled out in schools, while others think there is really no harm done - some parents even think it is very necessary.

Also see: #LeaveOurKidsAlone: Leader of anti sex ed group says they'll bring the country to a standstill

This mother wrote to us to express how she impressed she is with the curriculum and lesson plans; and she explained in an email that this type of education is what kids currently need to exist with other people. 

Read her thoughts below:

"I have just finished reading the Gr 4 and Gr 5 CSE Learner workbook and Educator workbooks and all I can say is WOW I am impressed.

There is nothing offensive or age inappropriate. Sexual grooming, sexuality, bullying, HIV and AIDS, emotions, these are all things that happen every day and it is time that we address and give a name to these “things”. 

For too long have we as parents pretended like our children don’t know these things or names of private parts

Unwelcome gestures by shady aunts and uncles have been swept under the carpet or kept as a family secret. 

Thank you, Dept of Education, for bringing issues into the open and making our children learn about inappropriate behavior, dangerous situations, sexual grooming, HIV Aids and bullying, etc. 

Yes, some parents discuss these issues with their children at home, and that’s where it ends for most

It doesn’t get discussed outside of the home and this is especially sometimes where our kids find themselves in dangerous or unknown territory. 

Or you come to find some children hear about these things for the first time in the classroom because their parents never discuss these issues with them and they never even knew certain behaviors are wrong/immoral/offensive to another person or the child themselves because they were never told/taught.

I did not read one sentence that talked about how to have sex, orgasm or any age-inappropriate information

Everything I read in the learner and teacher workbooks are things that grade 4 and 5’s already knows and even discuss among themselves.

Naming body parts is also not offensive because I for one never even knew my “koekie” is a vagina until I was in Standard 4 or 5 and learned this in Biology lesson because my mother never talked to us about sex/private parts, because it was considered taboo. 

Also read: 'It's sex, get over it': South Africans respond to leaked 2020 sex education curriculum

There is a big stigma attached to HIV and AIDS. I was also ignorant until I did a module in HIV and AIDS.

So, the more my child can learn and educate themselves about this issue the better because for me knowledge decreases stigmatization and exposure to the risk of infection.

Bullying has always been disregarded because “it’s just children business they will sort themselves out” until children started committing suicide because of bullying, it is only then we start taking it seriously. 

For me it is good that the Department included this topic in the workbook, because a bully will continue to bully others because he is not outed, and once they are called out and the bullying is addressed, then only can/will it stop. 

But for as long as we hide behind tradition, religion, age-appropriateness, values, etc., then sexual violence, sexual grooming, sexual abuse, sexism, stigmatization, bullying, mental health will thrive because it is hidden somewhere under someone’s rug like a big, dirty secret.

Once we start speaking, learning, educating ourselves and our children, then they can be aware of wrong behavior and situations and be prepared or able to speak up if something is wrong or they feel uncomfortable.

My advice is for any parent to first read the learner and teacher workbooks before you condemn it.

Knowledge is power."

Submitted by Mom A

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'It's sex, get over it': South Africans respond to leaked 2020 sex education curriculum