Students’ perceptions and attitudes toward sex education at Forward in Faith High School in Harare, Belvedere

Abstract

The study investigated perceptions and attitudes of students toward sex education at Forward in Faith High school. The researcher sought to find out how students perceive and react toward sex education. The researcher used quantitative research methods with data collected using questionnaires. The study targeted pupils from the age of 16 years to 18 years and across three classes from form 4 to from 6. Seventy three participants were selected using non probability random sampling method. Statistical package of social sciences (version 21) was used for data analysis with descriptive statistics used to analyse demographic data. Pearson product moment correlation was used for further analysis which revealed that there was no significant difference in perceptions and attitudes due to gender and that there is a positive association between perceptions and attitudes toward sex education. The researcher also found out that most of the students at Forward in Faith high school express the need for sex education. Pupils understood the significance of sex education to their wellbeing. Most students revealed that they have positive attitudes toward sex education and are in favour of alignment of sex education programmes to the school curriculum.