The sexual education in school: a study with teachers and a 9th grade students

Abstract

The aim of this study is to identify the knowledge and behaviour of 9th grade students from 4 schools from the north region of Portugal, as well as to characterize the Sexual Education practices with adolescents, developed in public schools. This investigation sought to ascertain and analyze, in general terms, the way in which the legislation guidelines on Sexual Education are applied at school and if there is success throughout learning.
It was a descriptive and exploratory study, with a quantitative and qualitative approach, in which seven teachers and eight groups from the 9th year of schooling participated (two classes from each school), from four schools belonging to the north of Portugal. The instruments we used for the data collection were a pre- and post-test, to the students and an interview with the teachers of the respective students. The results have showed that after the intervention of the teachers, there was an improvement in the conception of several parameters related to ES (Sex Education), namely in the relationship between peers and with the teacher. ES had no negative effect on the knowledge, attitudes or behaviour of Portuguese adolescents. It was possible to infer about the Sexual Education lessons success, by the application of certain strategies as less show lessons, more pratical activities with non-teaching staff intervention. It should be noted that in some cases the students feel more comfortable with non-teaching people. This because we think that it is more difficult for parents to know of a certain situation and at the same time as the agent of greater responsibility for the students of a class, at school is person Class Director, students relate Class Director with Head of Education.