Skopje, September 10, 2026
telma.com.mk
North Macedonia’s Ministry of Education and Science is withdrawing the curriculum for its sexual education elective and will conduct a thorough revision of the program, Education Minister Vesna Jaanevska announced, following sharp public backlash and an open letter from His Grace Bishop Jacob of Stobi of the Macedonian Orthodox-Ohrid Archbishopric criticizing the curriculum’s content.
“We’ve withdrawn the program and the subject for now, and we’re going to do a deep revision at the public’s request, to see whether there really is something in the program that could draw objections,” Jaanevska said, reports religija.mk.
Bishop Jacob’s open letter, published September 6, had argued that the curriculum forced students to accept fixed conclusions on gender and reproductive rights rather than think critically about them, and had questioned the inclusion of a lesson unit on sexual desire and masturbation.
At the same time, Jaanevska said scientific evidence shows sexual education can benefit young people navigating the topics the course addresses, and noted the subject had been offered as an elective, meaning students weren’t required to take it. “It’s the duty of the Education Minister to listen to everyone who has any comments about the education system,” she said.
Following the review, it should become clear whether the subject will be offered again in high schools and, if so, in what form and with what curriculum, Jaanevska said.
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