The Department of Basic Education recently held a three-day comprehensive Sexuality Education Inter-Provincial Stakeholder Management Meeting at the Southern Sun hotel, OR Tambo Airport, Gauteng.

Officials from the Eastern Cape, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, North West and the North Cape Provincial Departments of Education were in attendance.

According to DBE CSE and Learner Pregnancy Prevention and Management Deputy Director Busisa Nokama, the interactive meeting aimed at providing an overview of the implementation of CSE at a provincial level. “This meeting will determine Provincial commonalities and variations in the implementation of CSE and recommend effective and efficient implementation approach".

Health Promotion Director, Muzi Ndlovu gave an overview of the Legislative Framework for Implementing Partners saying that Phase 1 will establish a consensus on the implementation of CSE which gives Provinces an opportunity to discuss barriers in implementation and recommend a plausible approach in the implementation.

Schools Health Safety and Learner Enrichment Assistant Director Siphokazi Ginyigazi who represented the EC stressed the importance of the meeting in facilitating collaborations. “We cannot afford to work in silos, there should be thorough advocacy for effecient and effective implementation of the program.  School Based Support Team and Learner Support Agents will assist us in strengthening the relationship between the Department and EMIS to share much needed accurate information".

Ginyigazi added that the three-day meeting was indeed a very informative workshop which together with her colleagues in the EC will continue to use to empower learners with knowledge about their sexual rights and responsibilities through school safety programmes.

United States Agency for International Development, South Africa Bilateral Health  Officer Mathatha Madibane gave his full support to the interactive gathering stressing the importance of working together with the government to improve everyday lives. “The USAID will continue to provide humanitarian assistance and help to achieve goals set beyond this program" said Madibane.