The severe lack of knowledge among adolescents
regarding sexual and reproductive health (SRH) is a
serious concern in Egypt, where half the population
is younger than 25.1
Yet the majority of youth are
enrolled in school, presenting a valuable opportunity
for the country’s new government to address
these issues directly: by ensuring that school
curricula include comprehensive and age-appropriate
SRH education that is culturally sensitive
and responsive to the needs of young Egyptians.
Without policy-level action, this opportunity to
improve the health and well-being of individuals and
to contribute to the country’s social and economic
development will be lost.
Only limited aspects of SRH topics are covered in
Egyptian public schools—mainly in science courses
for intermediate students. Very little is known about
how well this material is taught or about students’
reactions to it. Some anecdotes suggest that the
SRH sections are often skipped because teachers
are unprepared or embarrassed.
This working paper presents key findings and some
recommendations based on a recent study conducted
in three governorates of Egypt: Cairo, Giza,
and Gharbia. The study, conducted by the author,
shows that students find what they learn in school
about SRH issues to be insufficient, and moreover,
teachers and students are shy and embarrassed
during these lessons.