Comprehensive Sexuality Education

1. Context and background

Nauru is a small island country located in the Pacific Ocean. It is the smallest republic in the world, being made up of a single island. It has one of the highest rates of teenage pregnancy in the Pacific, and addressing this is seen to be a critical priority (UNICEF, 2021). The components of school-based comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) are addressed in Family Life Education (FLE).

2. Terminology

The components of CSE are addressed as Life Skills which is included in the Family Life Education (FLE) course. ‘Life skills’ is the umbrella term under which CSE themes are dealt with. According to the Education and Training Strategic Plan 2008-2013, ‘life skills’ are defined as 'knowledge, skills, attitudes, values, and behaviors embedded in the local (and embracing the global) context, which empower an individual to improve and sustain the quality of life in their community and beyond’.

3. Laws and policies

3.1. Relevant international/regional agreements to which the country is a signatory

INTERNATIONAL
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW)	Acknowledges the need to guarantee sexuality education free from discrimination and stereotypes, conveying gender equality values.
Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)	Commits to the right to access appropriate health-related information.
Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)	Commits to the highest attainable standard of health for persons with disabilities.
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights	Acknowledges that the right to sexual and reproductive health is an integral part of the right to health.
UNESCO Convention against Discrimination in Education	Reaffirms that education is a human right. It highlights states' obligations to ensure free and compulsory education, bans any form of discrimination and promotes equality of educational opportunity.
The 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) Programme of Action	Calls for sexuality education, counselling and support mechanisms for adolescents, and identifies essential topics.
UN General Assembly 2016 Political Declaration on HIV and AIDS	Includes commitments and calls to scale up and/or attention to scientifically accurate age- and culturally appropriate comprehensive sexuality education.
Commission on the Status of Women 2016 Resolution on Women, the Girl Child and HIV and AIDS	Includes commitments to make universally accessible and available quality comprehensive sexual and reproductive health-care services, commodities, information and education.

3.2. Relevant national laws and policies mandating comprehensive sexuality education

The 2011 Education Act specifies that the state is responsible for developing a curriculum, and educational institutions must adhere to it. However, it does not mention the incorporation of health education, education for life, or topics related to CSE.

The 2016 Child Protection and Welfare Act is the key piece of legislation related to the protection of children and children’s rights.

Nauru National Youth Policy 2008-2015 aims to address the lack of social development programmes for youth, including those related to poor sexual health, alcohol and substance abuse-related health issues, mental illness, and the importance of sports. The policy objectives include creating and supporting social development programmes to improve young people’s wellbeing and lifestyle.

Part of the Education and Training Strategic Plan 2008-2013 aims to provide students with age-appropriate life skills and to embed any life skills which are not covered in the formal curriculum.

The National Sustainable Development Strategy 2005-2025 strives for the improvement of quality and broadening the scope and reach of education, as well as for a healthy and productive youth population. The strategy does not specifically mention components related to comprehensive sexuality education (CSE).

The Nauru Curriculum Footpath covers four pathways, which include the personal pathway, communication pathways, community pathways, and environmental and technological pathways. Within these pathways include taking care of health and self, communication, and fostering identity.

3.3. Curricula

Mandatory or optional

Unclear

Model of delivery

Sexual health education in schools is provided through Family Life Education (FLE) and Physical Activity and Wellness Studies (PAWS).

Comprehensiveness of content

In terms of content, HIV and sexual and reproductive health (SRH) are addressed under the topic of 'relationships,' which covers the functions of sexual and reproductive body parts and reproduction at the secondary level. No additional information was found regarding the specific content of the curriculum related to comprehensive sexuality education.

No further information was found regarding the content of the curricula related to CSE.

Learning resources

No information was found.

3.4. Teachers

Teacher preparedness and capacity building: No information was found on teacher training on topics related to CSE.

The Education and Training Strategic Plan 2008-2013, aims to provide training for teachers to teach the Life Skills programme.

3.5. Schools

Access to school-based health services, including sexual and reproductive health (SRH): The Nauru National Youth Policy 2008-2015 aims to enhance social development programmes to promote better lifestyles for young people. This includes developing innovative methods to raise awareness among youth about health issues and providing options for safe practices, such as making condoms available and accessible. The policy does not provide specific information regarding schools.

No information was found regarding school-based health services, contraceptive distribution or health clinic referrals from schools.