The perspectives of Grade 10 learners regarding sexuality education in a special school

Abstract

The aim of this study is to obtain the perceptions of Grade 10 learners as well as the Life Orientation teacher, regarding the effectiveness of the sexuality education programme in a special school. The study was conducted according to a qualitative research approach, guided by the interpretivist paradigm. A single case study was utilised to explore the views and opinions of seven males, nine females and the Life Orientation teacher about phenomenon being studied. Data was collected using semi-structured interviews which allowed the researcher to ask open-response questions to gain rich data understanding of participant’s opinions and perception about sexuality education. Data was analysed by identifying themes and categories that emerged from participant’s perceptions and opinions. Involvement was an additional challenge that came to the fore. The participants agreed that sexuality education does provide them with useful and important information in this regard, however, they pleaded for more “real life” examples. Accessing contraceptives still posed a problem for learners and therefore, they suggested that contraceptives be made available at school and well as the appointment of a nurse. Based on the study results, some valuable recommendations were made which included the standardisation of life orientation in all special schools, easy accessibility to contraceptives and most importantly, parental involvement in their children’s sexuality may curb teenage pregnancy.