Sex Education will not be an option for the education curriculum in Samoa. 

That’s the response from the Minister of Education, Sports and Culture, Loau Keneti Sio, to calls by members of the public to include sex education in the secondary schools curriculum.

“That is absurd,” the Minister said. “That issue should be addressed in families not in the classroom and for the life of me, we will not allow that.”

This is not the first time the call has been made.

This week, it was reiterated by the President of Samoa Aids Foundation, Leniu Dr. Asaua Fa’asino, who said there is a need for Samoa to incorporate sex education into its school curriculum to raise awareness about how to protect Samoans. 

“If we truly love our families, having a genuine discussion about sex will not be a hard thing to talk about,” Leniu said.

Leniu added that the alarming increase in sexually transmitted infections (S.T.I.) points to the need to raise the level of awareness.

She said the Aids Foundation had been working alongside various health agencies and organisations to put a proposal to M.E.S.C. 

But Loau said as long as he is the Minister, they will not entertain the idea. 

“It is the not the responsibility of M.E.S.C. to educate the children about sex. That is the sole responsibility of parents. 

“Students come to school to get an education; not sex.”

He told the Weekend Observer educating students about safe sex, should be taught at home.  

Loau also had a message for the parents. 

“Unconditional love is what we have for our children and so that means you need to speak to your child about safe sex; it is not the responsibility of M.E.S.C. 

“I understand this issue is taboo, but nowadays, we need to address it in our homes.

“Again let me reiterate; that addressing safe sex must be work of the parents, not the education system.”