Andrew Holness, the minister of education, has maintained his stance that no condoms will be distributed in Jamaican schools.

Instead, he says the recently revised health and family life education programme being implemented in secondary schools is intended as the means through which students will be empowered to make healthy lifestyle decisions.

The minister said it was the responsibility of schools to inform students of the choices they have in protecting themselves against unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases.

Speaking to some 3,000 students from about 160 high schools across the island yesterday, at the National Sexuality and Reproductive Health Expo, held at the National Arena, Holness said his plan was to arm Jamaican youths with the information to make healthy life decisions.

"There is a sensational debate surrounding the suggestion that condoms should be distributed to students in schools. While I have made my position very clear on that issue, the Ministry of Education is charged with empowering you with the information to make the right decisions about preserving your life," he said.

"We know the cultural context in which you live," said Holness to the crowd of fifth and sixth formers.

Tremendous pressure

He continued: "We know the pressures that you face from your peers, that some of you don't have the family to guide you, that many of you face tremendous pressure from older persons around you."

Holness said the ministry had an obligation to help students to develop the necessary skills to negotiate their way around these challenges.

Said he: "The curriculum explores human sexuality and prevention of unplanned pregnancies, HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases."

He continued that: "It is designed to help the students to make the best choices for themselves, based on their context and situations, and presents all the options available to help inform their choice, whether it is to delay sexual activity or engage in safer sexual practices if (they're) over 16."

Some 224 high schools have already implemented the programme.

Meanwhile, Lovette Byfield, director of behaviour change communication in the Ministry of Health, said that a partnership between the ministries of Health and Education was vital in the national response to the HIV epidemic, particularly as it relates to Jamaican youth.

"Students 10-19 years old and, more specifically, those who are 13 to 15 years old, are at highest risk or are vulnerable to HIV infection," she said.

Byfield said that this is a result of a number of socio-cultural factors, including the fact that, in Jamaica, young people tend to start having sex pretty early.