UNESCO commissioned a study to explore how national comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) programmes affect learners’ relationships in five countries: Argentina, Armenia, Lao PDR, Namibia and Nigeria. This study had two objectives:
- To explore learner- and school-level outcomes related to the knowledge, attitudes, behaviours and skills that may contribute to healthy interpersonal relationships.
- To document the national and school-level contexts, including the programmatic inputs and mechanisms that shape the implementation of CSE, and their implications for achieving outcomes.
The study focused on three categories of relationships important to adolescent learners: relationships with parents and caregivers; relationships with peers and friends; and romantic relationships. It used a mixed-methods approach, with three main data collection activities. The study also included a desk review of existing reports and curricular documents.
To carry out the data collection, tools were developed: educator and administrator key informant interview guide, learner survey, and learner focus group discussion guide. For each type of relationship, the study collected both teacher and learner perspectives on what content was taught and its possible effects. This included open-ended questions for teachers on what topical content they included in lessons and observations about how learners’ behaviours and relationship quality might be affected as a result. The learner survey and focus group discussions focused on knowledge recall, preparedness to navigate relationships, and the quality of relationships. The use of hypothetical scenarios in focus group discussions allowed learners to reflect on ways to handle differences in perspectives and conflicts in relationships.