Sexual education has been part of the curricula of Finnish comprehensive schools since the year 1970. The sexual health of the population, as measured by several criteria, improved until mid 1990’s. A turn to the worse, particularly, regarding adolescents and young adults, took place immediately after sexual education in schools was radically reduced in 1994. The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health has reacted to the situation by setting a national plan of action for the promotion of sexual and reproductive health. Even if there has been progress in the sexual health education provided to the students of health and social care during the last decades, knowledge and competence related to sexuality do not have a clearly defined role in the education of professional staff. The quantity and quality of instruction vary a lot between different educational institutions, and teaching still depends on the ability and interest of each teacher to handle this area .
more about this speaker
