Should terms like fellatio, cunnilingus, sodomy be explained at school to fifth-grade students who in rural areas are aged 12 years old on average? This is the topic being hotly debated on social media.

Indeed, these sexual terms are defined in the health and education section of the school book "L’excellence en science" to be used during the 2018-2019 ACADEMIC YEAR BY FIFTH GRADE STUDENTS and some parents consider this to be one of “western pernicious sects’ conspiracy to bring skewed sexual practices in Cameroon”.  

Encouraged by the ongoing debates about sexual classes with up to 4 year old pupils, some Cameroonians demand the book to be simply removed from the school books. 

We interviewed Francine Tonta Rochelet, a mother, president of the association Soutien aux victimes d’agressions sexuelles and author of two books on rape.  

"I think it is a good idea to alert children earlier because sexual predators are no more considering their ages. But, it would have been better if the authors of this school book emphasized on the risk factors, and consequences of such sexual practices instead of just defining those terms”, she said.

She also stressed that such lessons should not be taught solely at school adding that "It should start at home with the children and their elders”.  Let’s note that actually, the much-discussed book cannot be found at bookstores. "Come back on September 15, it will surely be available by that time", we were told at Saint-Paul bookstore in Yaoundé. Anyway, it is not certain people will rush to buy it.

M.N.M.