When I Was Young

Trust is an “important issue” — which is why the Association of Women for Action and Research (Aware) will not be allowed, for now, to teach its comprehensive sexuality programme in schools, said Education Minister Ng Eng Hen.

“For the programmes to be delivered effectively, parents and the Ministry of Education (MOE) must be able to trust that external agencies teach according to the framework and values of MOE’s sexuality education,” he said.

“We will not be able to use Aware until they have gained the public’s trust for their sexuality programmes.”

Moreover, if external agencies disagree with MOE’s approach, it would be “better not to participate in MOE’s programmes”; they should bring their views to the steering committee who would assess their arguments, said Dr Ng.

In response, Aware president Dana Lam said last night that the MOE’s move was “regrettable”, but “we recognise that the ministry has been under considerable pressure from some parents on the matter and we can understand why it has taken this action”.

In the two years the programme was run in schools, she noted, there was no negative feedback. The MOE had also earlier acknowledged that Aware’s programme “was accurate on information provided on STIs/HIV, and good in the segment which teaches students to say no to sex”, Ms Lam told Today.

Aware will continue its review of the programme, in consultation with parents, teachers and counsellors, and “at the appropriate time, we may offer it again to the Education Ministry”.

For now, Aware will focus on its other activities — namely research and advocacy, services such as its helpline and legal clinic, and public education such as reviving its forums at public libraries. ALICIA WONG

From TODAYOnline.com, News – Friday, 22-May-2009; see the source article here.

By Pearl Forss, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 21 May 2009 1907 hrs

Students in Singapore

SINGAPORE: Singapore's Education Ministry is reviewing its sexuality education curriculum and tightening controls on the engagement of external agencies for these programmes in schools.

Previously, schools were given the autonomy to engage external agencies to teach sexuality education.

Now these agencies must be approved by the Education Ministry.

They must submit their materials to the ministry for vetting in June.

Approved agencies will be appointed by mid-August.

The ministry said sexuality education must be secular and reflect the values of mainstream society.

Abstinence is the key message but information on contraception must also be included.

Education Minister Dr Ng Eng Hen, said: “Our schools and educational institutions cannot become proxy battlegrounds for groups with contending ideologies. What we must stringently and strictly avoid is allowing our school to go the way in some other countries, for example United States, where different groups with different views try to square off and settle their arguments in schools. If we allow this to happen, our school and education system will be casualties and will be worse off.” - CNA/vm

From ChannelNewsAsia.com; see the source article here.