SHAHRIZAT: The subject will first start as a pilot project in several identified schools
AFTER a six-year delay, sex education is likely to be taught to Year Six and Form Three students next year as a pilot project in several schools in the country.
The decision to introduce social and reproductive health education (SRHE) into primary and secondary school classrooms came about from discussions between the Education Ministry and the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry.
Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil told The Malay Mail it would be taught as a co-curricular subject after the Ujian Penilaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) and Penilaian Menengah Rendah (PMR) examinations.
"We have sent the proposal for the subject to be taught in schools to the Education Ministry and they have agreed, in principle, to study the implementation of teaching the subject in schools.
"Hopefully, it could be implemented next year after the UPSR and the PMR examinations.
"If everything goes well, the implementation of this subject will start as a pilot project first in several schools we have identified."
Sex education in schools was mooted in 2005 as a joint effort by both ministries and got the Cabinet's green light in December 2006.
It received a mixed reaction from various quarters despite its aims of educating the young to respect gender and sexuality, with the ultimate aim of reducing sexual crimes.
The latest developments arose from findings of the two ministries' pilot project, named 'I’m In Control', a sexual reproductive health module introduced to Form Four and Five students from five secondary schools in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Penang, Kelantan and Pahang.
It also went on trial at three kafe@TEEN centres, a one-stop service centre providing information and education related to adolescent reproductive health, counselling and medical treatment for reproductive health problems to adolescents, aged 13 to 24.
The module, being tested by the National Population and Family Development Board (NPFDB) from mid-2009 to the end of this year, includes pointers like assertive techniques to avoid premarital sex and how to identify and avoid high-risk situations.
Shahrizat said 308 students attended the workshops.
The pilot project continued last year with 14 more workshops at the same schools and kafe@TEEN centres, in which 597 students took part.
"Feedback from the participating students, teachers and parents was positive," she said.
Shahrizat said further discussions were held between both ministries between February and July to study ways in which SRHE could be introduced and implemented in schools at the national level.
She said the ministry was looking at using different avenues to reach out and make SRHE available to a wider audience through a larger project, called Upscaling Kafe@TEEN Programmes, which began in 2008 and expected to end next year.
"In line with this, 'I’m In Control' workshops have been conducted by selected non-governmental organisations and NPFDB trainers nationwide," she said.
This year, emphasis was given to train trainers on the parents' edition of the 'I’m In Control' module. Two training of trainers (TOT) sessions were held in August involving 88 NPFDB officers, followed by 10 dialogue sessions between parents and teachers until the year-end.
Evaluation of the project’s overall effectiveness would be conducted during the final year, 2012.
Earlier this year, SRHE officially became a subject taught in the National Service Training Programme.
'It's not about teaching them to have sex'
TEACHING sex education in schools has been a long-disputed issue with various quarters supporting the move and others against it, especially in the wake of baby-dumping cases.
Talks on the issue have been been ongoing as far back as 2005.
Being a taboo subject, its implementation has drawn responses from prominent figures. Here is an excerpt of what they have said:
Those in support:
● Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil (Aug 5, 2010)
"What is happening now is that there has been an increase in cases of sexual violence and girls getting pregnant out of wedlock, baby-dumping and other social problems. We cannot brush this issue under the carpet, as otherwise, our children will seek this knowledge from the Internet, only to absorb wrong values and teachings. Studies had shown that access to knowledge on reproductive health and sex issues led to a delay in sexual initiation, promoted abstinence, prevented sexually-transmitted infections and unwanted pregnancies."
● Malaysian Islamic Consumer Association (PPIM) secretary-general Datuk Ma’amor Osman (March 4, 2010)
"Sex education is not about teaching students how to have sex, but more of how to safeguard their reproductive organs. Young people are curious. They need to know that males and females have different organs. Having multi-religious students in a class will not be an obstacle either. It may be better so that students can make comparisons. No religion encourages free sex. Plus, it may help students understand each other’s religion better."
Those against:
● Deputy Education Minister Datuk Puad Zarkashi (April 28, 2010)
"At present, elements of sex education in schools are already incorporated in a subject known as social and reproductive health studies. There is no need for a specific subject called sex education."
● National Union of Teaching Profession (NUTP) secretary-general Lok Yim Pheng (March 4, 2010)
"Teachers lack formal training in the complexity and sensitivity of the subject and are not confident to teach it. Sex education is more challenging in Malaysia because of the country’s multiracial, religious and cultural elements, with each ethnic group having its own thoughts on the subject."
Timing questioned
THE Parents Action Group for Education is questioning the timing for sex education classes to be held after Ujian Penilaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) and Penilaian Menengah Rendah (PMR) students finish their examinations.
Its president, Datin Azimah Rahim, said the Education Ministry should allow students to enjoy extra curricular activities instead.
"Why should students still attend classes after finishing their exams? They have worked hard enough to prepare for their exams. Surely more classes would burden them," she said.
"They should be allowed to enjoy their time with extra curricular activities, such as sports and the performing arts."
Azimah said she was in favour of sex education, adding even children as young as four could be taught on the subject at home.
"The education would be good to students, but the ministry needs to ensure the subject becomes part of the syllabus and will not burden students."
