Comprehensive Sexuality Education

In 2022, the State of Palestine had an estimated population of over 5.3 million, with 69% of the population under the age of 30.  School enrolment is high, with over 95% of adolescents enrolled in basic education (grades 1-10), and 86% completing it by the age of 20.  In 2022, young women completed their basic education at a rate of 94%, while only 78% of young males did so. The gap widens at the secondary level, which is completed by three quarters (73%) of young women but just half (51%) of young men. Some progress has been made in sexual and reproductive health (SRH) rights, such as progress in reducing mortality in children and the adolescent birth rate. However, the young population still faces many challenges, including high rates of unintended pregnancies, early marriages, unmet family planning needs and sexual and gender-based violence. Since 2010, the adolescent birth rate has decreased; however, in 2023, 43 of every 1,000 girls aged 15–19 gave birth, which was higher than the average rate in peer countries; 13% of women aged 20–24 report being married before the age of 18, and the prevalence of violence against women is high, with 59% of women and girls experiencing at least one form of gender-based violence. Also, access to SRH measures remains low: for girls and young women aged 15–19 who are married, over 78% are not using a method of contraception.   

In collaboration with other ministries and international organizations, the Ministry of Education has undertaken certain initiatives to integrate components of sexual reproductive health (SRH) education into school and extracurricular activities, such as life skills and healthy lifestyles. In 2001, the Ministry of Education established the framework for the Health and Environment course for grades 8 and 9 and implementation began in 2008. The course introduced topics related to a healthy lifestyle and reproductive health.  However, it was discontinued and integrated into other science and social studies subjects in 2015. 

In 2019, the State of Palestine announced its commitment to the principles adopted in the 2019 Nairobi Summit, which includes the commitment to incorporate comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) programmes into all schools by 2030. There are two programmes in place in Palestinian public schools with content related to:  the School Health in Schools programme and the Adolescent Health programme. Currently there are no formal curricula on CSE for schools.

The 2017 Education Law defines ‘school health’ as the ‘strategy or activity aimed to promote a child’s physical, emotional, social and educational health’.  

The Education Sector Strategy 2021-2023 uses the term ‘life skills’.

According to the 2017 Education Law, the Ministry of Education is charged with developing the educational curricula for all education stages, including promoting healthy habits and behaviours and everyday life skills. The Law further specifies the goal of training children on basic life skills and sound health habits.  In line with the Law, within the education system, goals to provide counselling services, health awareness and to observe international conventions and national human rights legislation are included, as well as promoting the values of citizenship and providing a safe environment that enhances overall education and school health. 

The Ministry of Education’s Education Sector Strategic Plan 2017-2022 includes initiatives that aim to promote gender equality and women empowerment and to improve citizens’ health and well-being, including adopting the family health approach to sexual and reproductive and health (SRH) and family planning. The Education Sector Strategy 2021-2023 states that the learner should acquire the knowledge and skills to support sustainable development, including education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship and the appreciation of cultural diversity. 

The Health Sector Strategic Plan 2021- 2025 promotes equity in access to health services and information, considering the special needs of marginalized groups, especially people with disabilities, adolescents and children. The Plan also aims to promote healthy behaviours, nutrition services, school health and environmental health to strengthen comprehensive and safe health services at primary, secondary and tertiary levels.

The Ministry of Education is the official institution responsible for managing, organizing and developing the education system in Palestine. The ministry works in cooperation with the Ministry of Health,  international organizations and civil society organizations. 

The General Administration of School Health administers the organisations Health Education programme together with the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Health and civil society.