Global Times reports: News about sexual assault on campus and unintended pregnancies among teenagers is not uncommon. According to statistics from the Girls' Protection public welfare team, an analysis of child sexual assault cases in 2024, based on 205 publicly reported media cases, reveals the severity and complexity of sexual assault crimes against minors, southcn.com reported. Data shows that more than 690 children were victimized, with girls accounting for more than 90 percent.
The proportion of crimes committed by acquaintances is as high as 82.74 percent, and schools and online spaces have become high-incidence scenarios, the report said."Last year I proposed that we are lacking locally developed sex education textbooks in China. As you can see, new textbooks have now been introduced, but we still have a shortage of professional teachers," Chen said. This year, Chen is calling for the creation of a dedicated program to train sex education teachers.
Background
"Without professional teachers, the lessons never really begin." At the basic education level, there are no full-time positions for sexuality education teachers. Classes are typically taught by teachers from other subjects, such as biology or moral education, on a temporary basis. Many lack professional training, making it difficult to ensure continuity and quality in instruction, according to Chen.Most of these teachers have not received systematic academic training in sex education, resulting in an uneven grasp of the subject.
Key facts
- News about sexual assault on campus and unintended pregnancies among teenagers is not uncommon.
- Data shows that more than 690 children were victimized, with girls accounting for more than 90 percent.
- As you can see, new textbooks have now been introduced, but we still have a shortage of professional teachers," Chen said.
What this means
Also, sex education remains marginalized in the school curriculum. The shortage of professional teachers means lessons rarely go beyond basic physiology, failing to meet the real developmental needs of children and adolescents, Chen noted. A UNESCO report titled International Technical Guidance on Sexuality Education: An Evidence-Informed Approach provides sound technical advice on the characteristics of effective comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) programs.It requires teachers to transform from "knowledge lecturers to enablers," Chen said.
In detail, the NPC deputy recommends incorporating comprehensive sex education into the national basic education curriculum system, issuing guidelines for sex education curricula in primary and secondary schools, clarifying its positioning as part of quality-oriented education, and establishing a progressive framework for class hours and teaching content from kindergarten through high school. The curriculum should cover comprehensive topics including relationships, gender and rights, Chen said. At the university level, Chen called to encourage institutions with adequate resources to offer minors or micro-programs in sex education to form a reserve of professional teachers, and to establish comprehensive sex education as a required or core elective course in relevant majors such as preschool education, primary education and psychology.The deputy also mentioned establishing training systems, national certification pathways that include theoretical study, practical teaching, and supervisory evaluation to help train sex education teachers.
Originally reported by Global Times. This story has been edited and re-presented by BRIC Team.
