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MOE’s Sexuality Education in Schools
1. Sexuality education (SEd) 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:
- provide accurate and adequate knowledge on human sexuality and the consequences of sexual activity so that pupils are able to make informed decisions;
- 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
- 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:
- Build healthy futures for yourself, family and society.
- Healthy relationships based on love and respect are the foundation for strong families.
- 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 Yusof Ishak Secondary School's SEd Programme for 2010
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 subjects in which topics on sexuality are incorporated include
i. Science
ii. Civics and Moral Education
Co-Curricular Programmes
Growing Years (GY) Programme:
- “The Teenage Years” (Lower Secondary) package
- “Sense & Sexuality” (Upper Secondary) package
6. The values and attitudes of our youth towards sexuality are increasingly being shaped by their peers, exposure to the media, popular culture and the internet. Adolescence is a complex stage in life as the adolescent attempts to find his/her own identity and often struggles with new social relationships. The period of middle adolescence (generally from 15 – 17 years old) can be a turbulent period for adolescents. The gap between physical and emotional/cognitive maturity may result in a tendency to act on impulse, experiment with various activities (including sexual activities), sometimes without understanding the unpleasant consequences that may arise from such experimentation. The need for peer acceptance can be overwhelmingly strong, and hinder one’s ability to act responsibly. Given the pressures faced by the middle adolescent from within themselves and from peers, it is important to build a strong sense of self-worth, personal convictions and an understanding of the possible consequences of sexual behaviour.
7. Through “The Teenage Years” and “Sense & Sexuality”, secondary students will have opportunity to develop a positive self esteem, build their character, expand their understanding and repertoire of skills to deal with various issues related to sexuality, which are of prime concern at this age.
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Target
Levels
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Topics/Lessons
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What pupils will learn:
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Time Period
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Sec 1
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Healthy Relationships (within family, between friends and persons of opposite sex)
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-The underlying value for healthy relationships is respect
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Term 2
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Sec 1
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Love and infatuation
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-How to differentiate between love and crushes
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Term 3
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Sec 2
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Consequences of sexual activity, pregnancy, abortion, Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and HIV
Protection against STI/HIV
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-How to evaluate the consequences and issues relating to abortion and pre-marital sex
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Term 3
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Sec 2
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Public Display of Affection
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-Understand that certain public display of affection is not considered proper behaviour in our society
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Term 2
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Sec 3
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Healthy Relationships (within family, between friends and persons of opposite sex)
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-Discern between healthy and unhealthy relationships
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Term 3
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Sec 3
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Coping with rejection and broken relationships
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-Recognise that break-ups may happen in relationships and that one can break up without hurting others.
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Term 4
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Sec 4
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Physical intimacy
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-Recognise that petting is an act of physical stimulation
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Term 3
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Sec 4
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Influence of the Media on sexuality
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-State the role of the media to inform, educate and entertain and discuss its influence on their values and attitudes towards sexual behaviour and involvement.
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Term 4
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Breaking Down Barriers (BDB) Programme
8. The Breaking Down Barriers (BDB) is a programme developed by Health Promotion Board, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education for all Sec 3 students. The programme focuses on Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)/HIV education and aims to raise awareness of the modes of transmission of the different STIs/HIV, as well as the modes of protection. Students are taught skills such as decision-making, assertiveness and negotiation in order to say no to sex and negative peer pressure. Abstinence as the best option for teens remains a key message.
At Yusof Ishak Secondary School, the BDB programme will be implemented as follows in 2010:
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Topics/Lessons
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What pupils will learn:
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Time Period
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Mass Talk by HPB appointed vendor
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-Awareness of the different STIs and HIV/AIDS
-Modes of transmission
-Modes of protection, specifically the use of condoms
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Term 3
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Class-based Lesson 1: Decision-Making
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-Consequences in any decision they make regarding sexual intercourse
-Decision-making is a process that can be learnt
-It is important to have correct and accurate information to make the right decisions regarding one’s sexual health
-How to make decisions that will reduce the risk to their sexual health.
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Term 3
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Class-based Lesson 2: Assertiveness
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-What is assertive behaviour?
-How can one respond to persuasion assertively
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Term 4
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Class-based Lesson 3:Negotiation
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-How to negotiate one’s way out of a negative situation by applying skills learnt from Lesson 2
-Assessing situations to aid the control of impulses in sexual behaviour
-Revision of risk reduction for STIs/HIV (learnt earlier in mass lecture).
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Term 4
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Information for parents
- Parents can opt their children out of the entire sexuality education programme or for individual topics, talks or workshops.
- Parents who wish to opt their children out 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. (Chinese, Malay and Tamil versions are also available.) A hardcopy of the form, duly completed and signed, is to be submitted to the school office by 16/04/2010.
- Parents who wish to opt their children out of the Breaking Down Barriers Programme (BDB) need to complete an opt-out form. This form will be distributed to parents prior to the start of the programme and is also downloadable here. A hardcopy of the form, duly completed and signed, is to be submitted to the school office by 16/04/2010.
- For more information, please contact the school at 65009800#822 (Mr Goh Keng Hock) or email us at goh_keng_hock@moe.edu.sg if you would like to discuss or seek clarifications about our school’s sexuality education programme.
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