Thanks, MOE, for sensitive handling of a delicate, vital concern

Thanks, MOE, for sensitive handling of a delicate, vital concern

I REFER to yesterday's reply by the Ministry of Education (MOE), 'MOE: No complaints from parents, Dr Thio'. I appreciate the steps taken by MOE, with Aware's Comprehensive Sexuality Education development team, to ensure that the sensitivities of our multi-ethnic, multi-religious communities are considered when delivering the sexuality education programme in schools. It is also gratifying to note that there has been no negative feedback from students or parents arising from its execution.

Singapore has come a long way by implementing this programme in schools, considering the pluralistic nature of our society.

MOE has always considered diverse perspectives, including minority perspectives, in implementing such programmes, as the issues involved are personal and sensitive in the context of social and religious fault lines.

I hope the new executive committee (exco) of Aware will be mindful of the sensitivities with which principals and teachers in secular schools have been entrusted and empowered to introduce sexuality education to their charges.

The fact that no complaints have been received thus far suggests that the programme has been well-received. It is one thing for the new Aware exco to press alarm buttons; it is yet another for our multi-ethnic teachers to teach the programme to our multi-ethnic student population with the dynamism, vibrancy and professionalism required.

I would strongly suggest that the new Aware exco let schools undertake their tasks professionally and in the interests of our multi-ethnic society.

S. Ganesamoorthy

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