The recently published guidelines on sexuality and relationship education are a first stepping stone towards a more effective teaching approach in the area.
Section 5 addresses sex education for students with “special needs”. This phrase is inaccurate and not accepted by many disabled people. The correct term is “individual educational needs”, used in Maltese legislation and policy and accurately reflecting the situation of these students.
Although it can be argued that the sex education needs of students with disability is targeted in the whole document, because their needs are, broadly speaking, the same as those of others, this section falls short of addressing their individual requirements. It forgets to mention students in resource centres, often those that present the most challenges to the education system.
It also tends to contribute to the stigma and fear of sexual relations by focusing on vulnerability and abuse, failing to discuss sexuality as a personal expression and an aspect of emotional development.
The discourse on empowerment and emancipation for students with disability is missing: the concept that they can, like non-disabled individuals, have relationships that are meaningful and successful and make good parents with the right support.
While liason with INCOs and LSAs is required, it is strongly recommended that delivery remains the role and the responsability of the teacher.
The guidelines fall short of mentioning the need for appropriate resources that are required by teachers for students with intellectual disability or sensory impairment and the possibility of requiring a more personalised teaching delivery. The training of PSD teachers in this department falls short of requirements.
More importance needs to be given to addressing the individual educational needs of students with disability in this particular area. Alternattiva Demokratika underlines the right of people with disability to have access to age-appropriate information, reproductive and family planning education as stated in the UN Convention for the Rights of People with Disability.