On September 27, Vitebsk / Olga Bogacheva - BELTA /. A course on marriage and family is planned to be introduced in educational institutions of the Vitebsk region. This was announced today at a meeting of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee by its Chairman, Alexander Kosinets, during the consideration of the issue of implementing the regional program for demographic security of the Vitebsk region for 2011-2015, according to a BELTA correspondent. The "Marriage and Family" cycle will be dedicated to the sexual education of adolescents. It is planned to introduce it into the educational program next year. The significance of this course in fulfilling the demographic security program is undeniable, Alexander Kosinets is convinced. "The issue of sexual education of adolescents in schools is not particularly addressed. Meanwhile, as a result of promiscuous sexual activity in adolescence, and inattention to one's own reproductive health, a significant number of young married couples subsequently cannot have children," the governor emphasized, noting that the lack of sexual education for youth is also closely linked to statistics on marriages and divorces, and the birth rate situation. Another important problem raised by the governor was smoking. According to him, 60% of the region's population suffers from this harmful habit. Smoking is widespread among young people. At the same time, according to the governor, special attention should be paid to the fact that smoking is prevalent among students of medical and humanitarian universities, whose graduates, doctors and teachers, will have to set a personal example for future generations in promoting a healthy lifestyle. In this regard, the Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee noted the need to strengthen work in the information field.-0-

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