SEX EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS

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SEX EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS: 13.

Mdm Cynthia Phua asked the Minister for Education what is being done in schools to educate the children on sex education, in view of the number of young children who are exposed to the sex fiends that scour the Internet chatrooms.

The Senior Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Education (Mr Hawazi Daipi) (for the Minister for Education): Sir, all schools have sexuality education for their pupils. The sexuality education programme of MOE aims to equip pupils to make responsible decisions on sexuality matters, based on sound values.

The programme addresses the subject of human sexuality from a holistic perspective, including the emotional, intellectual, social and ethical aspects of sexuality, in addition to the physical. Sexuality education is incorporated into curricular subjects, such as Health Education, Science, and Civics and Moral Education.

In the co-curricular programme, schools make use of the multimedia series entitled "The Growing Years". Separate packages at the Upper Primary, Lower Secondary, Upper Secondary and Post-

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Secondary levels have been produced to meet the needs of pupils at their various stages of maturity.

The topic of Internet relay chats, its dangers and how to protect oneself from these dangers, is taught at all levels from the Upper Primary through to the Post-Secondary level. Strategies on how to protect oneself from sexual danger from various sources, including the Internet, are also covered in the Upper Primary package.

Effective collaboration between schools, parents and the community is essential, if we are to succeed in protecting our young children from sexual danger. While schools can warn the young about the dangers of the Internet and teach them self-protective strategies, parents need to guide and monitor their children on the use of the Internet. Above all, they have to develop strong family bonds to meet the emotional needs of their children.