in-cyprus 18 January 2025 - by Evangelina Sizoupolou
Cyprus’s first comprehensive sex education programme (CSE) has received positive feedback after its inaugural implementation across all educational levels during the 2023-2024 school year, according to an official evaluation.
The programme, which was extended to high schools and technical schools despite initial parental opposition, was assessed by the Centre for Educational Research and Evaluation (CERE) of the Pedagogical Institute through surveys of teachers, school administrators, students and parents.
Teachers reported finding most units easy to deliver, though some topics proved challenging.
Primary school teachers struggled with units on reproductive organs, family structures, and topics like wet dreams and sexting, whilst high school teachers found units on gender stereotypes and relationship consent more difficult.
Parental attitudes were cited as the main obstacle to teaching the programme, with teachers across all levels indicating they needed more training to handle sex education topics effectively.
Students in secondary education praised the pedagogical approach and appreciated gaining knowledge about sexual health in a safe learning environment.
However, they suggested improvements to content delivery, group formation and timing of lessons.
Parents largely supported the programme’s content and its place in schools, though remained undecided about the optimal starting age.
They opposed external educators teaching the material and recommended keeping instruction within the teaching staff.
School administrators’ views aligned with teachers’ assessments, highlighting parental resistance and staff training needs as key challenges.
Ministry officials noted positive outcomes but expressed concern that the programme might sometimes focus too heavily on individual responsibility rather than social dimensions.
The evaluation was conducted by CERE through questionnaires distributed to all stakeholder groups involved in the programme’s implementation.
