MORAL AND SEX EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS

Mr Noris Ong Chin Guan asked the Minister for Education if his Ministry will (i) assess the effectiveness of the approach adopted in schools with respect to moral and sex education and (ii) consider adopting a more holistic framework in educating our youth on sexual responsibility and family values, where necessary, collaborating with other agencies such as the media, parent advisory groups, non-government organisations and other relevant Ministries.

The Senior Minister of State for Education (Dr Aline K. Wong) (for the Minister for Education): Mr Speaker, Sir, the current approach to sexuality education recognises the role of the home and the wider community in reinforcing sound moral and social values and behaviour.

The aim of sexuality education in schools is to provide knowledge about human sexuality and the consequences of sexual activity so that students are able to make informed decisions. Students are taught to build responsible and rewarding relationships. Sexuality education also seeks to inculcate values and attitudes of sexuality, in line with our national value of the family as a basic unit of society.

In the delivery of sexuality education, MOE adopts a cross-curricular approach. Various aspects of the topic are covered according to the maturity of the pupils.

In the primary schools, sexuality is taught in Health Education and the objective is to prepare the pupils for puberty and this continues at the secondary level in Science and Civics and Moral Education (CME).

Some aspects of sexuality education are also covered in the Pastoral Care programme where skills on inter-personal relationships are taught so that pupils develop a respect for themselves and others as sexual beings.

At the lower secondary levels, Sexual Reproduction in Human Beings is taught in the Science syllabus. The personal and social consequences of sexually transmitted diseases, abortion and pre-martial sex are also discussed.

Responsible behaviour and moral values are further reinforced and developed in CME. In the main theme of family relationships, concepts such as responsible dating, marriage as a lifelong commitment, mutual responsibility in marriage, and responsible parenthood are discussed.

Mr Ong suggested that we should involve advisory groups and non-governmental organisations and so on. This is in fact happening already. The schools tap resource speakers from external agencies such as the Ministry of Health's Institute of Health, the Singapore Planned Parenthood Association, Family Life Society and Family Service Centres and Voluntary Welfare Organisations to conduct relevant talks, courses, workshops and seminars relating to sex education.

As part of our on-going policy reviews, MOE is presently reviewing the effectiveness of the teaching of sexuality education in schools, with a view to adopting a more holistic and structured approach.

But I must say that beyond what the school can do, parents and the homes must play an important role as sexuality education cannot be divorced from the values and societal norms which the different communities and families hold dear.