Changes to sex education programmes: Schools not proxy battleground

May 21, 2009

Changes to sex education programmes

Schools not proxy battleground

		Education Minister Ng Eng Hen (left) cautioned that if they do not adhere to this rule strictly, Singapore's students and educational system will end up the losers. --PHOTO: ZAOBAO

SINGAPORE schools will not become the proxy battleground for Christian right and gay interest groups to settle arguments like in the United States.

'We must not go down the way as has happened in the US? Issues will not resolved that way,' said Education Minister Ng Eng Hen on Thursday, at a press conference to announce changes to the sex education programmes in schools.

RELATED LINKS FAQ on schools sex education programmes Excerpts of Education Minister Ng Eng Hen's remarks at press conference on sexuality education on May 21

Stressing a conscious need to keep schools and education institutions here away from contending groups, Dr Ng said this applies both to external agencies, and also to teachers and principals.

'If we do not adhere to this rule strictly, our students and educational system will end up the losers,' he cautioned.

'Our students grow and learn best in an environment where they can develop their own beliefs in an objective manner, with adequate time to reflect on difficult issues, free from the rhetoric and emotional upheavals of contending parties.'

Dr Ng said the sexuality education package for schools was developed carefully by professionals and in consultation with many groups, taking into account the sensitivities Singapore?s multi-religious and multiracial country.

Even then, he conceded that there may be some who still disagree with the approach or contents.

'We respect their rights to decide as parents and to opt-out. But what we must avoid is different groups with competing ideologies using our schools and young as proxy arenas to push their own set of beliefs,' he stressed, citing the recent Association of Women for Action and Research?s (Aware) saga.

Dr Ng said the Aware episode showed clearly how easily contentious issues can inflame supporters and spin out of control.

'This applies to religion, politics, and controversial topics in sexuality education alike. All should recognise that access to students is a privilege which MOE accords, and carries with it responsibilities and accountability,' he added.

'We do have religion-based schools, and they openly teach their beliefs but parents who enrol their children in these schools do so knowingly. Even then, students can opt-out of religious programs.

'We need to preserve and protect the shared space in our schools and educational institutions.'

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