Sexuality Education

MOE SEXUALITY EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS

1. Sexuality Education aims to help our young understand the physiological, social and emotional changes they experience as they mature, develop healthy relationships with the opposite sex and to teach them how to make responsible choices. It is premised on the importance of the heterosexual married couple forming a nuclear family as the basic unit of society, and respect for the values and beliefs of the different ethnic and religious communities on sexuality issues.

2. The goals of Sexuality Education are to:

i. provide accurate and adequate knowledge on human sexuality and the consequences of sexual activity so that pupils are able to make informed decisions;
ii. 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
iii. 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 the basic unit of society.

3. The key messages of Sexuality Education are:

i. Build healthy futures for yourself, family and society.
ii. Healthy relationships based on love and respect are the foundation for strong families.
iii. Casual sex can lead to unwanted pregnancies, STIs/HIV and AIDS which can harm and hurt your loved ones.

You may click here for more information on MOE Sexuality Education.

OVERVIEW OF YUAN CHING SECONDARY SCHOOL’S SED PROGRAMME FOR 2012

4. Sexuality Education in schools is taught in both the formal curriculum and co-curricular programmes. These are covered under four main themes: Human Development, Interpersonal Relationships, Sexual Health and Behaviour, and, Societal Influences.

Formal Curriculum

5. The curricular subjects that incorporate topics on sexuality include:

i. Science
ii. Civics and Moral Education

Co-Curricular Programmes

Growing Years (GY) Programme:

i. “The Teenage Years” (Lower Sec) package
ii. “Sense & Sexuality” (Upper Sec) package

6. The values and attitudes of our youth towards sexuality are increasingly shaped by their peers, exposure to the media, popular culture and the internet. Adolescence is a complex stage in life as the adolescent attempts to find his/her own identity and often struggles with new social relationships. The period of middle adolescence (generally from 15 – 17 years old) can be a turbulent period for adolescents. The gap between physical and emotional/cognitive maturity may result in a tendency to act on impulse, experiment with various activities (including sexual activities), sometimes without understanding the unpleasant consequences that may arise from such experimentation. The need for peer acceptance can be overwhelmingly strong, and hinder one’s ability to act responsibly. Given the pressures faced by the middle adolescent from within themselves and from peers, it is important to build a strong sense of self-worth, personal conviction and an understanding of the possible consequences of sexual behaviour.

7. Through “The Teenage Years” and “Sense & Sexuality” packages, secondary students will have the opportunity to develop a positive self-esteem, develop their character, expand their understanding and repertoire of skills to deal with various issues related to sexuality, which are of prime concern at this age.

At Yuan Ching Secondary School, the following lessons from the Growing Years Programme will be taught in 2012:

Breaking Down Barriers (BDB) Programme:

8. Breaking Down Barriers (BDB) is a programme developed by Health Promotion Board, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, for Secondary 3 students. The programme was introduced to secondary schools in 2007 to provide students with accurate information on STIs, HIV and protection from a health perspective. BDB is conducted in two segments – a mass talk segment and a class-based programme.

9. Students are taught skills such as decision-making, assertiveness and negotiation to say no to sex and negative peer pressure. They also learn that the impact of STIs/HIV extends beyond themselves and involves their family. Abstinence and upholding family values are the key messages.

At Yuan Ching Secondary School, the Breaking Down Barriers programme will be implemented as follows in 2012:

INFORMATION FOR PARENTS

10. Parents may opt their children out of Growing Years, Breaking Down Barriers and/or Sexuality Education programmes by external providers.

11. Parents who wish to opt their children out of the whole or part of the Growing Years (GY) programme need to complete an opt-out form. This form will be distributed to parents at the start of the year and is also downloadable here. A hardcopy of the form, duly completed and signed, is to be submitted to the school office by 27/01/2012.

12. Parents who wish to opt their children out of the entire Breaking Down Barriers (BDB) programme need to complete an opt-out form. This form will be distributed to parents at the start of the year and is also downloadable here. A hardcopy of the form, duly completed and signed, is to be submitted to the school office by 27/01/2012.

13. Parents may wish to attend the school sexuality education programmes with their children. Parents should contact the school to make the necessary arrangements.

14. Parents can contact the school at 62612489 for discussion or to seek clarification about the school’s sexuality education programme.