Push for sex education to be part of China's national curriculum gaining steam. A deputy to 14th National People's Congress wants mandatory classes, starting as early as kindergarten. Chen Wei,assistant at Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University,stressed urgent reform needed during "two sessions."
Chen says China's sex education falls short of global standards. Reports of campus sexual assault and rising teen pregnancies show urgency. In 2024,analysis of child sexual assault cases showed over 690 children victimized,with girls over 90% . Most crimes by acquaintances, often in schools or online.
Last year,Chen flagged lack of local sex education textbooks. Some new materials have appeared, but trained educators still scarce. "Without professional teachers,lessons never really begin," he said. Classes now often taught by teachers from other subjects,like biology,who lack training.
Without full-time sex education teachers, curriculum often just skims basic physiology. Broader developmental needs ignored. Chen noted many instructors haven't had systematic training, leading to uneven teaching quality . Sex education still sidelined in school system .
To tackle these issues,Chen proposed program to train sex education teachers. teachers should move from "knowledge lecturers" to learning facilitators. Recommendations: integrate sex education into national curriculum,develop guidelines for primary and secondary schools,and make subject part of quality-oriented education .
Chen's vision: a progressive framework from kindergarten to high school,covering relationships,gender,rights. University level should offer minors or micro-programs, aiming for a pool of qualified educators. Suggested making sex education a required or core elective in fields like preschool and primary education,psychology.
Chen also urged for training systems, national certification paths that include theory,practical teaching, and evaluations to better prepare teachers. In 2021, State Council issued Outline for Development of Chinese Children (2021-2030),mandating sex education in basic system . This aims to guide parents on age-appropriate education,prevent sexual abuse,improve children's self-protection awareness. But will these steps be enough to change tide…
