The Education Division has drawn up guidelines for teachers in primary and secondary schools on sexuality and relationships.

The guidelines were drawn up by education officer Stephen Camilleri following extensive consultation with teachers, college principals and education officers.

They have been in the making for three years.

Education Minister Evarist Bartolo said present-day challenges included children’s exposure to sex and pornography.

The minister said that the alternative to the guidelines was not doing anything, but this was not acceptable as a lack of information led adolescents to end up being victims.

Church schools representatives, who were at the presentation, said they would also be taking the guidelines on board.

Some guideline principles include creating non-judgemental environments and taking into consideration the child’s sexual orientation. They propose the separation of boys and girls in co-education in certain instances to prevent embarrassing moments.

The guidelines are aimed at teaching students how to build strong and responsible relationships and although they promote abstinence, they insist on the need of making students aware of different methods of protection.