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 Community
Issues
 Sex education for schools
In recent days, there has been a debate on the introduction of sex
education in our schools. The local media as well as the general community have sought to
air their views on the matter.
Our task is not to comment on the issue, but to put information collected
from various sources here and let you form your own opinion.
Excerpt of a letter by MOK Choon Hoe, Director, Education Programmes
Division, Ministry of Education, to Forum, The Straits Times of 26 Oct
2000
"...The goals and aims of sexuality education are clearly spelt out
in the Framework On Sexuality Education which was distributed to all
schools. This framework clearly sets out three goals for sexuality
education:
"to provide accurate and adequate knowledge about human sexuality and
the consequences of sexual activity so that pupils are able to make
carefully considered, informed decisions; to impart intra- and
inter-personal skills of problem solving, decision making and effective
communication so that pupils are able to build responsible and rewarding
relationships and; to inculcate positive values and attitudes of sexuality
so that pupils develop a respect for themselves and others as sexual
beings, in line with the national value of the family as a basic unit of
society.
"...We agree with the writer (See below: CHEW Shing Chai) that a mere
training course, conducted over a couple of days for teachers, in itself
would not ensure that all the stated objectives can be achieved. The
careful selection of teachers and modes of delivery are crucial to the
success of the package. Perhaps, it is timely to reiterate that the social
education of our pupils is best achieved through the active involvement of
parents and the community.
"The introduction of the new sexuality-education resource package
would not provide, and is not meant to be, an instant solution to social
problems and issues relating to young people's sexuality. The approach
adopted by the Ministry of Education does not merely address the problem
of teenage abortion per se, but also the larger issue of changing social
norms and moral values."
MOK Choon
Hoe, Director, Education Programmes Division, Ministry of
Education.
Excerpt of a letter to Forum, The Straits Times of 23 Oct 2000
"...One solution would be to conduct lectures for parents on how to
handle the sexual problems of their children. This way, adolescents can
confide in someone they can trust and handle the matter in a private and
personal manner. Parents must change their mindset and be open with their
children on the subject of sex.
"If not, the confused adolescent will turn to his or her peers for
advice, which could be like the blind leading the blind. This is the
situation now and this is what we want to avoid. Changing the parents'
mindset will not be easy. Many of them are unaccustomed to and
uncomfortable about discussing sexual matters with their children..."
George WONG Seow Choon
Excerpt of a letter to Forum, The Straits Times of 20 Oct 2000
"...I am confused as to the reason for the sudden flurry of interest
and participation in this so-called sex education....If training for the
teachers consists merely of a three-day course, I wonder what the results
would be...
"If it is the number of teenage abortions that is the root of our
concern, then the emphasis should be to counsel the young on proper
methods of contraception and to allow them easy access to these products,
without hindrance or embarrassment.
"I cannot believe that the youth of today are ignorant of how and
when pregnancies occur as a casual conversation with any teenager will
reveal that he or she has a depth of knowledge - gained from the Internet,
pirated videos, books and other pornographic material - that would put an
elderly gynaecologist like myself to shame..."
CHEW Shing Chai (see also Abortion)
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Excerpt
of an article THE ETHICS OF LIFE by Joshua LYE in The Straits
Times of 22 Oct 2000
"...If parents in our
conservative Asian, or negligent and lazy society are unwilling or
unable to educate children properly about such a vital aspect of
their being, then kudos to the teachers, volunteers, principals
and ministry officials who are willing to take up the gauntlet. It
is likely that the sex education programme has been developed with
much care and thought, since the ministry consulted major
religious groups, teachers, parents, students, psychologists and
counsellors.
"...But now, the
teacher has been called upon to play a role in a greater way than
he has ever done here, to engage in conversation about possibly
the most taboo and least comfortable topic there is in Asian
society - sex. Sure, there may be a syllabus. There will be
teaching aids and suggested approaches. But the nature of the
topic is such that much will rest upon the teacher's own ability
to make the pupils comfortable, draw out their questions,
stimulate discussion and encourage thought.
"Even when asked or
told to be impartial and not throw in his or her own views and
beliefs about all aspects of sexuality, surely his own persuasions
and practices will surface during discussion and exploration of
the topic..."
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Youngsters from 11 - 18 years old will be taught about sex and
sexuality in school under a new government programme starting next
year. Younger children will learn about puberty and the changes
that happen to their bodies. Teenagers in secondary schools will
get the facts on kissing in public, having sex, getting pregnant,
pornography, homosexuality and the dangers of sexually-
transmitted diseases. Sexual harrassment is among the issues older
teens will discuss. This was announced by Dr Aline WONG, Senior
Minister of State, Education, on 16 Oct 2000.
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