The Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture has denied allegations that the education curriculum teaches or promotes same-sex relationships in schools.

The ministry made the clarification in a statement last week, following claims made by representatives of faith-based organisations and members of the public. The statement, issued by the Executive Director of the Ministry of Education, Sanet Steenkamp, said the curriculum does not teach learners to “become homosexuals.”

Instead, Steenkamp said the curriculum includes life-skills education, which provides learners from Grade four to 12 with life skills, HIV/Aids and health education.

“In this curriculum, learners are provided with incremental, age appropriate, culturally relevant and scientifically grounded sexuality education,” said the executive director.

She added that the curriculum provides learners with the knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviour necessary to enable them to manage and combat socio-economic and cultural challenges affecting their sexual health.

The statement concluded by saying that the ministry promotes teaching of tolerant, non-judgemental, sexual reproductive health and rights education.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency