His phrases echoed MOE’s place, which was said earlier within the yr.
MOE’s web site says its sexuality schooling curriculum covers 4 most important areas: bodily modifications throughout sexual maturity, sexual attitudes and emotions in the direction of self and others, sexual norms and behavior, and the authorized, cultural and societal implications and values and ethical techniques associated to sexuality.
Sexuality schooling, or intercourse ed, falls below MOE’s Character and Citizenship Schooling syllabus, which was refreshed in 2021.
The brand new syllabus states that college students in decrease secondary – 13- and 14-year-olds – will be taught to make sensible, accountable and knowledgeable choices on sexuality issues primarily based on correct, present, and age-appropriate data on human sexuality.
It says: “For instance, college students find out about penalties of pornography and teenage sexual exercise. They’re taught the significance of respecting boundaries of self and others in relationships.”
Higher secondary college students – often aged 15, 16 and 17 – be taught the significance of respect for self and others, each on-line and offline, and the way they’ll respect private boundaries for wholesome relationships and security.
The syllabus additionally says college students be taught in regards to the affect and affect of latest media on relationships and sexuality.
The syllabus doc, which is on MOE’s web site, doesn’t explicitly point out LGBT points, however the web site does say elsewhere that intercourse ed teaches college students what homosexuality is and the significance of mutual understanding, respect and empathy for everybody.
College students ST spoke to mentioned the intercourse ed they acquired at school primarily targeted on how abstinence, or refraining from sexual contact, was the most effective follow.
Secondary 3 scholar Shiva Sayshathri Sivasubramaniam, 15, mentioned: “The lessons are supposed to be about sexuality however I really feel the primary agenda is to show us not do ‘it’.”
He mentioned he has had classes relating relationships between girls and boys, about sexual assault, and that underage intercourse is against the law. He additionally learnt about sexually transmitted infections and illnesses, he mentioned.
He mentioned: “I haven’t learnt something about LGBTQ, intersex or asexual relationships and sexuality. There’s no point out of any LGBTQIA matters in our lessons.”
Current junior faculty graduate Elijah Wong, 19, mentioned the lessons he acquired from higher major to the top of JC lacked depth, and any engagement with LGBTQ points was principally superficial.
Mr Wong added he was taught that abstinence is the most effective follow, however this was at odds with what most youngsters and younger adults had been already doing.
He mentioned: “We most likely be taught extra on-line than from these lessons and therefore it considerably defeats the aim of getting the teachings within the first place.
“You may solely count on the youth to show to on-line sources for additional schooling and to reply their questions that stay unanswered.”
