The Ministry of National Education raises a dispute among experts and the educational community after the publication of a fresh regulation on wellness education. The paper to supply a legal framework for wellness education, according to an analysis prepared by experts from the National Centre for Social Prevention (CROPS), does not only neglect to fulfil its statutory delegation, but is contrary to it.
The analysis of the regulation available on the organisation website Let us rescue the School: www.Save the School.pl, shows serious doubts about the compliance of the proposed changes with the applicable law. An crucial point of the dispute is the possible elimination of the subject of the “Beaching for Life in the Family” (WEDZ), which has been the foundation of the Polish sex education strategy for 26 years.
NGOs, teachers and local communities intensify their efforts in defence of the WWZ, having organised petitions and protests, including fresh demonstrations in Bydgoszcz and the upcoming event in Wrocław. Manifestation of the YES cycle for education, NOT for depravation will take place on 23 February at 13.00 on the marketplace in Wrocław.
Among the arguments for the behaviour of the HED is the effectiveness of this programme in reducing juvenile pregnancies and HIV infections compared to Western European countries.
- The age of sexual initiation in Poland is much higher than in Western European or Scandinavian countries (in Poland it is an average of 18 years, in Iceland – 16, in Germany or Sweden – small above 16).
- The pregnancy rate for minors is much lower (in Poland, 10 pregnancies per 1,000 women aged 15-19, in Spain, Sweden, Czech Republic 15-18, and in the UK 27).
- Less HIV infection (2 times little than in the UK, France, Belgium, more than 3 times little than in Ireland and Iceland).
- Less hepatitis C infections (2 times little than in the UK, Finland, Norway).
- There is simply a tiny proportion of sexual crimes in Poland, unlike Western European countries, where the rates are up to 100 times higher!
- A marked decrease in the number of 15-year-olds undergoing sexual initiation (1998 – 21.5%, 2002 – 15%, 2021 – 13%) was observed following the introduction of the HEDA in 1998.
Minister Anna Nowacka, the main character of the disputed reform, tries to push through the changes, arguing the request for a modern approach to wellness education. However, the current model of Polish sex education is unique on an global scale, providing young people with comprehensive preparation for household life and liable decisions.
The public consultation on the regulation runs until 25 February. The behaviour of the WDO is crucial for protecting young Poles from the negative effects of early sexual initiation and another risky behaviour.
Petition link: www.peticionionionline.com/opposite_against_elimination_wd
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Source: www.savingschool.pl
