News Report: MOE tightens control on sex education delivered by external agencies
Source: Channel NewsAsia 21, May 2009
SINGAPORE: The Education Ministry will tighten controls on sexuality education programmes run by external agencies.
Eight per cent of teenagers aged 14 to 19-years-old are sexually active, and less than a quarter of them are using any protection.
Sexually transmitted infections among Singaporean teens are on the rise, with 787 cases reported last year.
Each year, there are about 2,000 teenage pregnancies.
Three-quarters of schools have also hired external agencies to complement the school programmes.
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Now these agencies must be approved by the Education Ministry. The agencies must submit their materials to the Education Ministry for vetting this June and the vetting process will be tightened.
Subsequently, the ministry will also be auditing the programmes that these agencies deliver in schools.
Dr Ng said the programmes must reflect mainstream values which means encouraging heterosexual married couples to have healthy relationships.
Abstinence is the key message but information on contraception must also be included.
Homosexual teens who approach their teachers for help will be told that homosexual act is against the law, though the government has stated that homosexuals have their private space. Teachers and counsellors will also involve the teens’ parents in providing guidance.
Parents will be given more details on the sexuality education programme conducted in schools, with information posted on the websites of the ministry and schools by August.
Parents can choose to opt their children out of the programmes being offered based on their own beliefs.
MOE said it will not be able to use AWARE to run sexuality education programme in schools until it’s gained the public’s trust for its sexuality programmes.
The ministry is also revising the current sexuality education curriculum to make sure it’s up to date.
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Q&A session with Education Minister on sexuality education in schools
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See also:
Remarks by Dr Ng Eng Hen, Minister for Education and Second Minister for Defence on Sexuality Education Programmes in Schools
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Previous video: A thousand gather to celebrate diversity and the freedom to love
Another typical case of PAP dancing to the tune of the “conservative rightwingers”. It’s one step forward and two steps back for education in Singapore. Ng Eng Hen and MOE don’t realise how important it is for education to be objective and all-encompassing – providing the facts. MOE’s stand to promote “mainstream values” will alienate those students with “minority” sexual inclinations. Without proper guidance, these children will resort to finding their own answers from the internet, which can be dangerous. Why is MOE not considering the needs of these students?
i wonder what will happen to those in-charge who never vet the programs properly. another example of overpaid, under performing staff/s?
Josie and ex-exco
The hell that was the EGM was worth it, wasn’t it.
But don’t be complacent.
You lot were like the crusaders led by Peter the Hermit who set out to “liberate” Jerusalem. They were defeated like you.
Then came the crusaders who established the Kingdom of Jerusalem in 1077.
It was downhill after that. Only in 1917 did the British and empire troops march in Jersusalem.
#2 — different minister lol
Hi A Tan,
Religious fundamentalists were responsible for the Crusades, the Spanish Inquisition and the Salem Witch Hunts. History didn’t judge the Crusaders too kindly as they not only rained disaster in the Middle East, but also displaced many innocent people who didn’t share their beliefs. What had begun as a military mission to liberate fellow Christians became a military campaign by European warlords to suppress non-Christians. The crusades were hardly pilgrimages.
#2
Read ST — Minister said wimmin never showed MoE the manual. Gee and these hens were carping abt transparency, openeness.
I decried (and still do) the takeover by Josie (balls of brass) & gang. But at least they put the manual into the public space. Something the OG for all their talk of empowerment, transparency and openness never did.
Wonder why?
Did the OG know that the views on homosexuality and premartial sex were taboo to many parents?
As to anal sex, what is meant by “consent”. A gal may consent because her lover asks for it and she loves him. But she hates the pain, and rather he not ask for it. Is this “consent” acceptable by the OG??
Read
http://www.asiaone.com/News/Education/Story/A1Story20090511-140583.html
Are Christian-supported sex ed vendors not affected because no one steeplejack their organisations?
FEI YUE COMMUNITY SERVICES-
What is taught: Fei Yue Community Services, an independent society, started in 1991 as Fei Yue Family Service Centre. It was founded by the Chinese Christian Mission, a faith-based organisation.
FOCUS ON THE FAMILY SINGAPORE – It is based on Focus on the Family from the United States, a pro-life, Christian organisation.
5) A Tan on May 22nd, 2009 7.32 am
#2
Read ST — Minister said wimmin never showed MoE the manual. Gee and these hens were carping abt transparency, openeness.
I decried (and still do) the takeover by Josie (balls of brass) & gang. But at least they put the manual into the public space. Something the OG for all their talk of empowerment, transparency and openness never did.
Wonder why?
According to the Old Guard at the EGM. The trainer manual is copy-righted materials and has confidential information, no specific about what is confidential.
Don’t blame AWARE for not showing MOE the manual or that they are hiding something. MOE is sleeping on the job and never ask.
Did the OG know that the views on homosexuality and premartial sex were taboo to many parents?
So, are we going to conform to the view of many parents or traditional values blindly? Then where should we place diversity?
As to anal sex, what is meant by “consent”. A gal may consent because her lover asks for it and she loves him. But she hates the pain, and rather he not ask for it. Is this “consent” acceptable by the OG??
My understanding is that it will fall into “SAY NO” area. If the gal is not comfortable, talk to the guy and say “NO”. I think a key part of any sex education is to tell the individual to be self-determined and decide for themselves what they want.
“Homosexual teens who approach their teachers for help will be told that homosexual act is against the law.”
Is this all we tell a teenager who is homosexual?
the power of one religion, one singapore. anyone who don’t agree with christians will be blasted to nothingless. non-believers, you are NEXT!
I applaud MOE for her plans to put in place tighter vetting processes for sex education in schools and for facilitating greater transparency so that parents know what kind of sex education their offsrpings are receiving.
As a mental health professional and future-parent-to-be, I would like to put forth a few important questions to MOE which were not addressed.
I would like to know if it is allowed, as far as MOE is concerned, for certain “Christian-supported” sex education vendors to teach our school children that:
1) there is a “right” versus a “wrong” type of sexual orientation
(in the same way that racists believe there is a “correct” versus a “wrong” type of skin colour?)
2) that the heterosexual orientation is the “correct” type of sexual orientation and the homosexual orientation is the “wrong” type of orientation?
(is that what is intended when teachers are instructed to tell a homosexual youth – who may be struggling with self-esteem/relationship/safe sex issues – the all-important FACT that homosexual acts are “against the law” in Singapore?)
3) that homosexuals are “abnormal” and homosexual relationships between consenting adults are “unhealthy” and “immoral” (perhaps even “sinful”)?
4) that unlike heterosexual youths, gay/lesbian youths do not fall in love and are incapable of loving, stable relationships, and their emotional and sexual needs should be trivialized, or better still, demonized and pathologized?
5) that by virtue of their sexual orientation, gay people are “anti-family”?
6) that gay people are “promiscuous” by virtue of their sexual orientation alone?
7) that gay adults have a greater tendency to “recruit” and “prey on children”?
8) that the synonym for the homosexual orientation is “anal sex”?
9) that homosexuality is a type of “mental disorder”,
10) that sexual orientation is changeable at will (or by fervent prayers?),
11) and rather than being the sexual orientation of some perfectly normal and healthy people, homosexuality is simply a type of “bad habit, addiction and lifestyle” which can be “promoted”?
12) that in view of (10) and (11) above, the homosexual orientation is a diseased condition which can be “cured” or counselled or prayed away?
13) that it’s a positive thing for for morally-upright, law-abiding youths to harbour negative (rather than “neutral”) attitudes against their fellow gay schoolmates and their supposed “lifestyles”?
I am deeply concerned because all the above would be the kind of “conservative, mainstream values” which may potentially be “taught” by certain “Christian-supported” organizations, such as Focus on the Family, if they are allowed free rein.
I would like to know if there will be any safe-guards in place by MOE to ensure that our schools do not become a platform for the transmission of misinformation, stigma and prejudice?
morris, never underestimate the power of praying. if dr thio had not pray for us during the tsunami, we all will have been hit, like phuket and indonesia.
http://www.elijahlist.com/words/display_word.html?ID=2997
She explained how the SARS virus hit Singapore a year prior to the earthquake/tsunami. The Lord alerted the intercessors and told them that if they did not get on their faces and repent on behalf of their nation’s involvement in abortion as the contraceptive of choice, that the land would suffer from His hand of judgment.
Because they saw how devastating the SARS virus had been, the intercessors immediately took action to seek His mercy and forgiveness. Singapore was not touched by the earthquake disaster. The Malaysian intercessors joined them in diligent prayer and also opened healing rooms in Kuala Lampur. The area on the Northern Coast of Malaysia was hit hard
To Sarah #7,
Why don’t you tell that to the 3 teens that were molested by the homosexual male teacher?
10) Morris on May 22nd, 2009 10.41 am
Hi Morris,
Those are very thought provoking questions. We can summarize the gov position as heterosexual is mainstream and homosexual should keep to themselves in private so everyone live in peace. The gov will not accept the inclusive / neutral positions some prefer.
Any sex education vendor saying anything along the line of your questions are likely to have crossed the line of tolerance and be seen as imposing values and being judgmental against homosexual.
Do agree that MOE should answer the questions you raised.
It may turn out that the sex education program will not go into the level of discussion you raised but referring potential homosexual case to counsellors. So MOE may need to move beyond vetting sex education vendor to include counseling service providers in answering your questions.
Regards
Good grief, Anonymous #12, from your ridiculous question, you mean to say heterosexuals don’t rape, molest or commit incest? Some brains please, some brains!
“Homosexual teens who approach their teachers for help will be told that homosexual act is against the law, though the government has stated that homosexuals have their private space.”
AND
“Teachers and counsellors will also involve the teens’ parents in providing guidance.”
Wah kao. Then which homosexual teen will approach his teacher? Siao ding dongs. Homosexual teens just don’t matter right. They can go and get STIs for all anyone cares.
hi Serek_Home,
my sentiments exactly. :)
school to offer counselling? better make surely they are no covert religious fundamentals in the midst!!
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i have no idea those who find certain topics taboo are discussing them online furiously. so what is taboo?
no wonder some children prefer internet’s patchy “info” + talking among peers to approaching conservative & morally high (handed) parents.
Unfortunately this is where the half-half decision on Section 377A becomes problematic.
The government accepts that homosexuality is a fact of life and homosexuals should be a part of society. But yet now teachers have to tell gay students that they cannot be who they are because it’s against the law. What are gay kids to do?
This is an irresponsible position for the government to take.
An analogy
Cat Lovers Group wanted the free roaming stray cats in an condo not to be removed. The ground floor residents have problem of the cats going into their home.
The ground floor residents do not hate the cats.
The ground floor residents do not hate the cats lover.
The cat lovers group do not live on the ground floor.
Suggestion solution: Cat lovers keep the cats in their home.
Cat loversr ejected the idea.
So the crux of the issue is that the cat lovers wants what they love, have cats all over, but ignored the concerns of the ground floor residents
But if the condo comprises of vast majority cat lovers, then they can have their way. But there is no such condo.
ref wei chun # 17
The government accepts that homosexuality exists in society ( a fact of life ? ) (should be a part of society?).
(But yet now teachers have to tell gay students that they cannot be who they are because it’s against the law.) why should a teachers need put it that way?
( What are gay kids to do? ) Ask their parents for guidance.
(This is an irresponsible position for the government to take.)
This is a responsible position for the government to take.
Hi Gladys #9,
Thanks. Now I know how the Pharoah felt when Moses told him to let go of the Israelites.
Hi Anonmyous #12
I am sympathetic towards the teenagers who were molested by the homosexual teacher. However, it is not homosexuality at fault but was the rather the fault of the individual molester who failed to self-restraint. Moreover, there are so much more heterosexual molesters than homosexual ones.
Donaldson, there are there are so much more heterosexual molesters than homosexual ones because much more heterosexual people than homosexual ones.
heh, so much for not giving in to pressure groups. lol….
Now the truth is out… they kept their instructor guides so internal and confidential… And were teachiing the those things for two years. The public and MOE got hoodwinked. Many would be very glad now MOE took corrective actions. Well done MOE and kudos to Minister Ng for presenting the statement so well.
Let us hope AWARE will make amends accordingly and not to pursue a similar CSE in forums in public libraries!
MOE already failed once not vetting programs vogorously, backtracked on their stance, adopted a wait-&-see approach to the Aware Saga for weeks, let the situation inflame (if not engulf) our tiny nation now does damage control to its reputation when it can no longer do nothing.
kudos to that? time for pay cut, taxpayers money is wasted on some irresponsible people. a pay cut is also to send the message, to do the job well dun just look forward to monthly payday & annual increments.
The non-disclosure by Aware OG of the ‘confidential’ portion of the CSE programme is one skeleton in the closet that is too huge to keep from view. It is now coming out to haunt them as it should. Poor thing is, the other innocent NGOs and interest groups affected by this are the ones paying the price too.
We should channel our energies to helping them rather that harping on an issue that Aware’s current president is still so arrogantly protecting.
21) KopitiamApek on May 22nd, 2009 10.38 pm
so what’s your point? more heterosexuals than homosexuals cancel each other out, is it?
25) gemami on May 23rd, 2009 6.19 pm
‘Let he who is without sin cast the first stone’ – FM and Gang should have considered carefully before ‘dragging the schools into this melee’. won’t be surprised if all the other NGOs blame them for this fiasco. Even the good minister implied as much (heehee)
11) jonathan on May 22nd, 2009 11.10 am
Truly, the FM is omnipotent. She could even tell the sexual orientation of the Aware members (‘homosexual activists have become a significant constituency of Aware’) without them declaring it! With powers like that, what chance could the Aware CSE have?
perhaps the sex education programmes in school should focus on VALUES and not ACTIONS. the outcome is important, but without values, what is the basis of recommending abstinence over safe sex? Only when students learn the WHYs will they internalize the message. At the end of the day, every one has the freedom of choice, and they will decide whether or not they will have pre-marital sex. it is important to equip them with the right values to make the right choices, or at least choices they won’t regret.
What are the odds?
Conservative Curriculum + Conservative Parents + Submissive Children = Successful Indoctrination
Conservative Curriculum + Liberal Parents + Submissive Children = Momentary Indoctrination
Conservative Curriculum + Conservative Parents + Curious Children = Guerilla Explorers
Conservative Curriculum + Liberal Parent + Curious Children = PG Explorers
No matter how much MOE dictates the curriculum, the fact of the matter is that there is always TV, Cable and the internet.
Here is a clip from a foundation that cares about what goes on in the media and how it affects the mind … http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcEEgpBxM-s&feature=related
Still in denial?
26) KopiTiamAhng on May 23rd, 2009 10.22 pm 21) KopitiamApek on May 22nd, 2009 10.38 pm
so what’s your point? more heterosexuals than homosexuals cancel each other out, is it?
My point is statistics do not lie