Motshekga reiterates parents can opt out of sex education

Cape Town - Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga has reiterated that if there were parents who were against the Comprehensive Sexuality Education in schools they have a right to opt out.

The department of basic education has been criticised for introducing sex education in schools.

Motshekga, who was among several ministers answering questions in Parliament on the adjustments to the Budget on Wednesday, said the opt out was there for parents.

The Department of Basic Education said it would pilot the CSE programme next year and roll it out in 2021.

This is to curb the high infection rate among learners, the high levels of pregnancy among teenagers and sex abuse.

In 2017 alone 19 000 learners fell pregnant in schools. 

Answering questions on the CSE said if parents did not want their children to learn what other children were learning they can come and sit out with them until the lessons were finished.

“If there are parents who don’t want their children to learn what a buttock is, they have to sit out. That is where the opt out,” said Motshekga.

Some of the opposition parties have objected to the sex education at schools.

Political Bureau