Introducing Taiwan’s Comprehensive guide to sexuality education in middle schools
Taiwan's MOE published this sexuality education guide in 2025 with efforts from scholars and private sectors, informed by UNESCO's guidance.
Taiwan’s Ministry of Education (MOE) published a “Comprehensive guide to sexuality education in middle school” this year (June 2025). It is a big step in this topic of providing curricula support for teachers in classrooms. This article introduces some key themes in the guide manual itself as well as a quick recap to the topics it covers.
This guide is designed based on UNESCO’s “International technical guidance on sexuality education”. This technical guidance provide a high-level understanding of how modern sexuality education should focus on, what considerations educators must take, evidence base, and the key topics. Taiwan’s sexuality education guide utilizes this umbrella and transform it into practical guidances for the educators that are somewhat suitable to the Taiwan context.
Key Takeaways
There are 3 key takeaways when I examine this sexuality education instructional guide.
I recognize that this is a great improvement stepping toward from the previous guide materials we had. When the major news of underage sexual exploitation by a famous variety show host bursted out earlier, people realized that we’ve done too little in terms of sexuality education.
If we look up the materials provided by MOE before this guide, you would find them designed into policy propagandas with a passive prevention approach. They only informs the underages about dangers and perhaps a little bit of strategies (regardless of useful or not). But it doesn’t really enables them with the deeper understanding of sexuality topics.
We can see the intention of the current guide trying to respond to this issue, by using a more proactive approach to lead the learners to exploring the sexuality topics.
The current guide is a collaborative work among the government, field scholars, non-profits in this field, and even visual designers. By bringing in more diverse opinions and the additional capacities from the private sector, the guide was able to become truly “comprehensive”.
This not only make a huge difference in the narratives in the guide, but bring more energies to the
The way this guide was designed took big practical consideration. At the end of the day, we need something the educators can and will use in the classrooms. Each module in this guide not only gives clear explanation of its importance and deep meaning, but also comes with practical content such as
Instructional designs that can be implemented into classes.
Connection with the current curriculum guidelines so it gains more authenticities.
Non-academic or policy education materials from the private sectors (such as YouTuber videos or books) that are educational AND entertaining.
Communication materials that the educators would need in order to create a safe space to give lessons.
Introducing the 10 modules in this guide
There are ten modules in this guide and the section is my brief capture of the key values of each of them.
Disclaimer: The subject of each module was originally in Mandarin. I invited generative AI to translate them considering the context. I then modified them based on my interpretation if needed.
Menstruation: Facts, Care, and Challenging Stigma - This module provides essential knowledge of menstruation in order to break the stigma and even the taboo discussing it. It aims to have students look at it with a more positive, equal attitude.
The Penis: Anatomy, Function, and Myth-busting - This module tried to deconstruct the exaggeration and stereotype of penises. It guides students to understand the facts by critical thinking from physiological, culture, and personal experience angles.
Understanding Masturbation: Normalcy, Self-Care, and Consent - It emphasizes the importance of Bodily Autonomy by normalizing masturbation. The module also invites learners to reflect on how to openly discuss this topic while respecting different voices and cultures.
Inclusive Condom Education: Skills for High School Students with Disabilities - UNECOS’s guidance exclusively points out that the learning rights of students with disabilities should be treated equally. This module enables these learners correct way of using condoms and its importance so they are enabled to protect themselves and others.
Sexuality in Popular Culture: Critical Media Literacy - The popular culture contains a lot of stereotypes toward sex. Traditional media and social media influence the underage audience through content and marketing. The students are expected to reflect on this phenomenon and learn to respect diverse gender expression.
Meeting People Online: Safety, Boundaries, and Recognizing Exploitation - Making friends on online platforms becomes almost inevitable in this digital age. Therefore, this modules empowers the students with strategies interacting with people online, while being able to recognize potential threats and ask for assist when needed.
Talking About Sex: Skills for Respectful, Informed Dialogue - Discussing sex topics is usually seen awkward in many Asian cultures, even in schools. The module hopes to provide learners proper impressions and languages when they have the needs to have such conversations.
Relationships & Sexual Decision-Making: Consent, Protection, and Responsibility - According to Taiwan’s law, it is legal for people over 16 to have sex, which includes most high school students. This module talks about the importance of affirmative consent, legal regulations, and efficient communication with partners. It aims to enable the learners to make healthy and mature decision regarding sex.
Unintended Pregnancy: Options, Support, and Accessing Care - When younger people got unintended pregnant, they usually feel lost and overwhelmed. This module provides physiological knowledge of reproduction, birth control methods, and how to ask for help if needed. At the same time, it encourages learners to reflect on the topic of family’s form, commitment, and raising children.
HIV: Science, Stigma Reduction, and Ending the Epidemic - The core values of this module is providing correct understanding and perception of HIV/AIDS. It provides the learners proper approaches to prevent Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI). More importantly, it aims to end the discrimination toward patients and create a supportive society.
Notes
I write this article hoping to share this experience from Taiwan with more countries. It can be one of the references if any country needs a starting point to build their own guide. And through learning from different sources, we have more potential to achieve the collective goal altogether, which is saving the children from harms.
Also, the steps of continuously improving what we have right now shouldn’t be stopped. Expanding the ecosystem is the fundament of that. So if you have any feedback to this guide, of if you’re looking for connecting with any points in this ecosystem I’m happy to be the bridge for you.
References
You, M.-H., & Hsiao, C.-J.. (Ed.). (2025). Comprehensive guide to sexuality guide in middle school. K-12 Education Administration, Ministry of Education, Taiwan. Retrieved October 18, 2025, from https://www.k12ea.gov.tw/Tw/Common/DownloadDetail?filter=043F1AEB-690C-4F45-924E-D1C90AE7694E&id=cf7638e4-a3b6-4d6d-9d4a-746ba1564605
Women, U. N., & UNICEF. (2018). International technical guidance on sexuality education: an evidence-informed approach. UNESCO Publishing. https://doi.org/10.54675/UQRM6395