In the past 10 years with help from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the education sector has officially introduced the population education and adolescent reproductive health programme into the primary and secondary education curricula.

However, according to experts from the Institute for Social Development and Studies and the UNFPA, the teaching programmes still face difficulties as teenagers’ knowledge about contraceptives and other measures to prevent sexually-transmitted diseases is limited. Pupils have not yet been provided with accurate and full information about population education and adolescent reproductive health.

A 12-grade student Ho Khanh Phuong from northern Ha province says Hoa Hoc Tro (Pupil Flowers) newspaper provides her with useful information about pupil-related matters and adolescent reproductive health.

Phan Bich Diep, a student of the Ho Xuan Huong private high school, says many of her friends have become mothers in her teenage since they did not fully and correctly understand what is love, sex and how to protect themselves.

Education experts say many terms, concepts and explanations about population and reproductive health are still Greek to students.

The vague concepts and unsatisfactory explanations from teachers has instigated curious students to “tear the hedge” and break principles on love, marriage and sex.

Reports by the Institute of Social Development and Studies affirmed that a lack of adequate and accurate information in a long time has given rise to a high rate of unprotected sex activities. This partly explains why the unwanted abortion percentage among Vietnamese young people remains high and most of HIV/AIDS carriers are young people.

At a meeting to review 10 years of cooperation between the UNFPA and the Ministry of Education and Training in the programme on population and adolescent reproductive health, UNPFA chief representative Ian Howie pointed out shortcomings and challenges, which need to be overcome in the coming period.