61.1% of Moroccan Students in Favor of Sex Education in High Schools

Rabat – A socio-educational survey conducted in partnership with the Ministry of Education revealed that 61.1% of Moroccan students are in favor of sex education in high schools.

The second socio-educational survey was conducted by the Forum of Moroccan Students, in partnership with the Ministry of National Education and Vocational Training, as well as HEM Business School in Casablanca, and it has revealed surprising results.

The survey focused on “youth identity,” and the relation to sexuality. The  survey revealed that one of two students in Morocco think sexuality issues remain a taboo in Morocco.

It showed that 66.8% have never discussed topics related to sexuality with one of their family members.

Although 61.1% of the polled students expressed their support for sex education in high schools, 70% of Moroccan students agree that sexual intercourse before marriage is “immoral.” Another issue addressed by the survey, in terms of identity, is sexuality and practice of religion.

The survey found that 75% believe that religion is a personal relationship with God, while only 4.5% believe it should guide politics, and 15.6% believe that religion can help us behave better.

 The rest of the polled students had no opinion on the subject.

According to Hakim Hdidou, consultant and director of The Survey Project, the survey polls have lasted 10 months, and have targeted 5,236 students in private and public high schools, in urban and rural areas of all the regions of Morocco.

In 2014, the Moroccan Ministry of National Education and Moroccan Modern Industries (IMM) signed an agreement in Rabat for the implementation of a new program to teach sex education in Moroccan schools, but it hasn’t found its way to the classroom.

The parties who signed the agreement said that it aimed to raise students’ awareness on healthy hygienic practices and the importance of sex education. This set of lessons has helped equip young students learn the essentials of puberty, sexuality and sexually transmitted diseases.