Moe’s Sexuality Education in Schools

1. Sexuality education is an important programme in our schools. It aims to help our young understand the physiological, social and emotional changes they experience as they mature, develop healthy relationships with the opposite sex and to teach them how to make responsible choices. It is premised on the importance of the heterosexual married family as the basic unit of society, and respect for the values and beliefs of the different ethnic and religious communities on sexuality issues.

 

2. The goals of SEd are to:

 

1. provide accurate and adequate knowledge on human sexuality and the consequences of sexual activity so that pupils are able to make informed decisions;
2. impart intra- and inter-personal skills of problem-solving, decision-making and effective communication so that pupils are able to build responsible and rewarding relationships; and
3. inculcate positive values and attitudes of sexuality so that pupils develop a respect for themselves and others as sexual beings, in line with the national value of the family as the basic unit of society.

 

 

3. The key messages of SEd are:

 

1. Build healthy futures for yourself, family and society.
2. Healthy relationships based on love and respect are the foundation for strong families.
3. Casual sex can lead to unwanted pregnancies, STIs/HIV and AIDS which can harm and hurt your loved ones.

 

You may click here for more information on MOE’s Sexuality Education.

 

Overview of Nanyang Junior College’s Sexuality Education Programme for 2011

 

4. Sexuality education in schools is taught in both the formal curriculum and co-curricular programmes. These are covered under four main themes: Human Development, Interpersonal Relationships, Sexual Health and Behaviour, and, Societal Influences.

 

Formal Curriculum

 

5. The curricular subject in which topics on sexuality are incorporated include

 

(i) Science

 

Co-Curricular Programmes

 

6. Growing Years (GY) Series: Love Matters

 

The focus for “Love Matters” is on issues in relationships. Relating  with  peers  is  a  major  component  in  the  lives  of  JC/CI  students,  who spend an average of half to two-thirds of their waking hours with their peers. The focus  of  the  Post-Secondary  package  is  on  Interpersonal  Relationships,  with  themes  of  Human  Development,  Sexual  Health  and  Behaviour,  and  Societal Influences woven into the main focus on relationships.

 

At Nanyang Junior College, the following lessons from the GY series will be covered in 2011:

 

 

Target Levels	Topics/Lessons	What pupils will learn:	Time Period
JC 1	Dating and going steady - expectations	- Recognise the demands of going steady: - Be aware of the responsibilities of being in a steady relationship	Term 3
JC 2	Dating and going steady - expectations	- Recognise the demands of going steady: - Be aware of the responsibilities of being in a steady relationship	Term 1

 

7. Breaking Down Barriers

 

This programme is developed by Health Promotion Board, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education for JC/ CI 1 students. The programme was introduced to junior colleges/ centralised institute in 2009 to give students accurate information on STIs, HIV and contraception from a health perspective. BDB is conducted in two segments—a mass talk segment and a class-based programme.

 

8. Students are taught skills such as decision-making, assertiveness and negotiation to say no to sex and negative peer pressure. They also learn that the impact of STI/HIV extends beyond themselves and involves their family. Abstinence and upholding family values are the key messages.

 

9. At Nanyang Junior College, the BDB programme will be implemented as follows in 2011:

 

Topics/Lessons	What pupils will learn:	Time Period
Mass Talk by HPB appointed vendor	- Awareness of the different STIs and HIV/AIDS - Modes of transmission - Modes of protection, specifically the use of condom	Term 1
Class-based Lesson	- What are the various possible impacts of contracting STI/HIV - Ways of managing the challenges of the impact - Be aware of support structures that people with STI/HIV may need	Term 1

 

Information for Parents

 

10. Parents can opt their children out of the school’s entire sexuality education programme or for individual topics, talks or workshops.

 

11. Parents who wish to opt their children out of the whole or part of the Growing Years (GY) Series need to complete an opt-out form. This form will be distributed to parents at the start of the year and is also downloadable here (opt-out form – English, Chinese, Malay or Tamil). A hardcopy of the form, duly completed and signed, is to be submitted to the school office by 07/03/2011.

 

12. Parents who wish to opt their children out of the Breaking Down Barriers (BDB) programme need to complete an opt-out form. This form will be distributed to your child in Term 1 Week 8. A hardcopy of the form, duly completed and signed, is to be submitted to the school office by 02/03/2011.

 

13. Parents can attend the sexuality education programmes by external providers with their children if they wish to. Parents should contact the school to make the necessary arrangements.

 

14. Parents can contact the school at (nyjc@moe.edu.sg or 62842281) for discussion or to seek clarification about the school’s sexuality education programme.