The debate on condoms in schools

It seems the debate to have students get access to condoms has just started. Various stakeholders especially those advocating for safe sex have upped the stakes. The initiative has attracted controversy with some saying condoms will instead encourage students to have sex in schools, while others believe it will protect or prevent HIV infections. Both arguments sound strong but the task is to determine the right option based on the current situation in schools. Of course it is not allowed for students to play sex. Speaking to Sunday Times, parents had different opinions on the issue. “If reports from the Ministry of Education indicate that the drop out of female students is also attributed to pregnancies, as a parent what comes in your mind….lets face the reality, put in place protection measures to avoid the worst,” says Edward Ngarambe, a resident of Remera. The father of two explains that although some students are able to abstain, there are others who may fail. “For sure, if my daughter gets pregnant while in a secondary school or any other level, I start suspecting she might also be HIV positive,” he says. Another parent, Josephine Uwamariya, says that schools should put in place strict measures to protect students. “If students realize that protection measures are within reach, they will be doing it as a simple game since they are sure of the protection,” Uwamariya said. She noted that some students abstain for fear of HIV. Just like the parents, students also seem to be divided on the move. During a discussion amongst representatives from 10 schools, the Head Girl of Fawe Girls School, Grace Uwamahoro was among those who advocated for students to get access to condoms. She said that, “Students are human beings who may fail to control their sexual desires.” She added that, “Last year, 660 students dropped out of school due to unwanted pregnancies.” On the opposition side however, Lycee de Kigali`s Fideline Kubwayo, said that this will stimulate students’ desire to try out sex. The head of the Parliamentary Commission on Reproductive Health, HIV Prevention and Family Planning, Hon Theobald Mporanyi, says that condoms will prevent both HIV contraction and unwanted pregnancies. Mporanyi says that all means should be employed to ensure that students are protected; pointing out that there is lack of sex education in homes. Globally, the campaign against HIV/Aids has now been focused on education through creating awareness on prevention measures especially where abstinence is assumed to be impossible. However, the headmaster of Lycee de Kigali, Martin Masabo, differs from the law maker. “Besides our culture, we are teaching children to have good discipline. If we give them condoms, they are going to use them. This simply means that we are encouraging them to play sex which is not our mission at all.” Reacting to the cases of female students dropping out of school due to unwanted pregnancies, the headmaster suggests that if such cases happen, the victims should take care of their babies and later go back for studies. “When students get pregnant, it means they have failed to behave. Therefore, let`s not only look at the few to bring in issues that will also lead others into the same trap,” he says. Ends