SEX EDUCATION IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS

Mr Ho Kah Leong asked the Minister for Education what is the Government's view on the proposed introduction of sex education in some Mission secondary schools next year, and whether such subject will be introduced in other secondary schools.

The Minister of State for Education (Inche A. Rahim Ishak) (for the Minister for Education): Mr Speaker, Sir, the Ministry of Education has no objection to the proposed introduction of sex education in some Mission secondary schools next year outside the regular school time-table, provided such instruction is intended to prepare adolescents for a healthy sex life with due regard for its moral and ethical aspects.

In other secondary schools, medical officers from the Ministry of Health and lecturers from the Department of Social Medicine and Public Health have on occasions been invited to give talks related to sex education.

However, the Ministry has no plans for introducing sex education as part of the regular curriculum in secondary schools.