Bishop Mario Grech's recent statements that the education system may be abusing students if it teaches them about contraceptionwas astounding, Alternattiva Zghazagh said.

It said in a statement that also astounding was the claim that teaching students about contraception in secondary schools encouraged them to give in to the “culture of pleasure”.

ADZ said it supported the clear and professional position of Dr Carabott from the GU Clinic who said “The role of an education programme should be to teach students to live their sexuality in a mature way. Sexuality is more than sex. There is no harm in teaching them about contraception but students should be given all the information: how safe, how unsafe and the health hazarards.”

It said it was irresponsible of Mgr Grech to accuse teachers, presumably of biology and PSD of abusing students for educating them on the theme of contraception.

"Malta is among the countries with the highest teenage pregnancy rate. This is only one side of the coin since sexually transmitted diseases among youth are also on the rise among youths in the Malta and Gozo. Clearly young people need more education, including about to use of contraception.

"It is the responsibility of the state to include the theme of sexuality in the educative system since sexual health is part of youth development."

Moreover, ADZ's Dirk Urpani insisted, to give the impression that sex education only included information about contraceptives was unfair and misleading since currently sex education included information on contraception as well as on other themes such STDs, self-respect, and other themes related to sexuality.

"Accusing teachers of abuse shows a lack of understanding of the positive educational experience in schools around Malta and Gozo," he said.