Guidelines on sex education finalised
PUTRAJAYA : Contraception, HIV/AIDS, abortion, masturbation and sexually-transmitted diseases are just some of the issues addressed in the national guidelines on sexuality education.
The guidelines have been finalised and will be submitted to the Cabinet for approval by next month.
Covering six components – human development, relationships, marriage and family, interpersonal skills, sexual health and behaviour, and society and culture – the guidelines are age specific and meant for preschoolers to adults.
They were jointly drawn up by the ministries of National Unity and Social Development, Education and Health as well as NGOs.
Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said the guidelines were a good start as they would give everyone concerned some idea of the direction to follow.
“I hope that with the cooperation of everyone, the guidelines will help to reduce incidences of rape, child abuse, sexual deviancy and Internet porn, among other things.
“Everyone should play their part, from parents to schools and the community at large, to educate the young on sexuality,” he said.
Once the guidelines are approved, the Education Ministry will look into the school curriculum to see whether changes need to be made to certain subjects in terms of content, especially Physical and Health Education (PJK).
Currently, topics like HIV/AIDS and the reproductive system are taught across the curriculum through subjects like PJK, Science, Biology and Moral Education.
However, Hishammuddin said, the ministry was not planning to introduce a separate subject on sex education at this point unless directed otherwise by the Cabinet, as there were several constraints including lack of facilities, qualified personnel and time.
“I would love to introduce sex education as a subject, but I have to balance this with other education priorities and needs,” he said.
National Unity and Social Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil said that now the guidelines were ready, the next step was to implement them on the ground.
“It has taken two years for the guidelines to be drawn up. Sex education is aimed at giving young people the knowledge and skills to understand their emotional and physical growth and to face today’s challenges,” she said at a joint press conference with Hishammuddin.
by Simrit Kaur (21/12/2005).
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2005/12/21/nation/12922183&sec=nation
