The rates of sexually transmitted infections are on the rise on P.E.I. and across the country, and some say reducing those numbers starts with education in the schools.

Jillian Power, a life-skills teacher at Kinkora Regional High School, teaches students about sexually transmitted infections. (CBC)

Unless parents decide otherwise, students are required to learn about sexually transmitted infections as part of the province's Grade 8 and 9 health curriculum.

But, for the most part, the sex education stops once Island students hit high school.

There are a couple elective courses students can take that touch on STIs and the risks of sex, but two-thirds of students don't take those courses.

"At the time, I was glad because I thought gym would be more fun than sitting in a room talking about sex education," said Jeff Dohoo, now a University of Prince Edward Island student.

"But it seems like a relevant issue with the seeming increase in exposure and sexualization of the media, it seems like something that probably would be positive to teach children in a mandatory setting in high school."

Dr. David Reid, who runs the UPEI health centre, treats a lot of students fresh out of high school.

He said there's an information gap for older teenagers.

"In my experience, a lot of them really don't know what they need to know," Reid said.

Cheryl Tanton and Mike Leslie, Education Department curriculum coordinators, aren't sure more mandatory sex education is the answer. (CBC)

"Once they hit high school, they don't get a whole lot through the school system. And I think by the time they get to university, they may think they know a lot. But often times I find, some of the questions that I get asked, you find they really don't have that much knowledge."

UPEI student Jana MacLeod said she doesn't recall much of her high school sex education.

"I was a French immersion student and in band, so we got the quick version of it. Skipping band class to go to one or two sex ed classes. It was pretty brief and not too much detail."

MacLeod said, "You don't retain much from junior high and high school by the time you're in your twenties."

Room for improvement

On occasion, some high schools will invite groups such as AIDS PEI to give presentations on safer sex and STIs.

But too many students are still missing out, said Alana Leard the organization's outreach coordinator.

"I agree junior high is a great place to start, but I do think it needs to go up and through high school, because that's when they're really starting to be more sexually active, and engaging in riskier behaviours."

But curriculum specialists aren't convinced that more mandatory sex education will make a difference. They say that schools and parents both have a role to play, but, at some point, the students themselves have to take responsibility.

Dr. Christine Hoffman of the Women's Clinic says the province could use a dedicated person to teach sex education.

"The information those students get in 7 to 9 provides a solid foundation for them in terms of a knowledge base," said Mike Leslie, coordinator for secondary programs.

Sex education needs to be part of a "comprehensive approach" to health, said Cheryl Tanton, Education Department health and physical education curriculum specialist.

"We can capture what we can, and give them reliable information, including decision making, in partnership with at home. And hopefully students will make the right decision."

But Dr. Christine Hoffman says there may be another way to deliver the information to high school students.

Hoffman runs a part-time Women's Clinic in Charlottetown. She's not sure it should be up to teachers or curriculum planners.

"It seems to me it should be someone, perhaps a dedicated person who goes around to the school system, someone who is very comfortable talking about all these things," said Hoffman.