Children want sex education. However, the government rejects this ideology, as do non-profit organizations

Wednesday, Jan 28, 2026

Denik Referendum

Student demand for comprehensive sex education clashes with conservative political opposition across Europe.

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[This is an automatically generated summary, for reference only]

In Czech secondary schools, most students desire more comprehensive sex education, as current instruction often neglects topics like masturbation or first sex in favor of AIDS and STIs, with the internet and peers being primary sources of sexual information rather than family. Students prefer external educators over school teachers due to potential biases. Despite official curricula promoting positive body image, respectful relationships, consent, and destigmatization, conservative groups actively oppose comprehensive sex education in schools, influencing government policies. Internationally, debates vary: Poland made the topic optional after protests; Hungary fragmented it across subjects; Austria integrates it broadly across disciplines; Baltic countries favor more open discussions; Romania’s minister opposed it as “ideological”; Bulgaria integrates it into existing subjects; and Greece relies heavily on individual teacher discretion despite official frameworks.

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