In a significant move aimed at enhancing educational standards,a member of 14th National People's Congress is advocating for the inclusion of sexual health education in China's educational system, suggesting the introduction of classes from kindergarten onward. Chen Wei,who also holds a position as an assistant at a major medical institution in Zhejiang, articulated these proposals during a recent legislative meeting,highlighting the pressing necessity for reform in sexual health education across the nation .
During his remarks,Chen pointed to the rising incidents of sexual violence on university campuses and the concerning rates of unplanned pregnancies among adolescents, which have garnered increased media attention. A thorough investigation into 205 publicly reported child sexual assault cases in 2024 uncovered that more than 690 minors were affected,over 90 percent of whom were female. The findings revealed that 82.74 percent of these offenses were perpetrated by individuals known to the victims,with schools and virtual platforms identified as common venues for such activities .
Previously, Chen has also highlighted the insufficient availability of locally created sexual health education resources in the country. Although new educational materials have been introduced, he emphasized critical need for qualified instructors, stating, "Without trained educators,effective teaching cannot commence." He advocated for a specialized initiative aimed at preparing teachers for this essential area of education.
The current implementation of sexual health education often relies on educators from other disciplines—like biology or moral education—who frequently lack appropriate training. This practice leads to an inconsistent educational experience, as many teachers do not receive structured training in sexual health. As result,the curriculum tends to focus narrowly on basic physiological information, failing to meet the comprehensive developmental needs of young people.
Citing a report from UNESCO,Chen pointed out effective sexual health education programs that encourage instructors to transform their role from mere information providers to facilitators of learning. He proposed that formal sexual health education become a standardized part of the core curriculum for primary and secondary education,complete with explicit guidelines regarding content and class time . This would establish sexual health education as an essential aspect of quality educational framework from early childhood through high school.
The envisioned curriculum would cover broad spectrum of subjects,including interpersonal relationships, gender issues,and personal rights. At the university level, Chen recommended that colleges equipped with adequate resources provide minors or short courses focused on sexual health education, with the goal of developing a skilled cadre of educators. He further urged for such education to be designated as a mandatory or core elective within relevant academic programs,such as those in early childhood education, primary school education, and psychology.
To facilitate this initiative, Chen proposed the creation of teacher training programs and national certification processes,which would incorporate theoretical instruction, practical teaching experiences,and supervisory assessments for future sexual health educators. In 2021, State Council released a framework for the development of children's education,stipulating the necessity of integrating sexual health education into primary education system and establishing mechanisms to monitor educational quality. This framework also encourages families to provide age-appropriate information about sexual health, emphasizing the prevention of abuse and enhancing children's self-defense capabilities.
