Sexuality Education

GAN ENG SENG SCHOOL
Student Development Department

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:

i. provide accurate and adequate knowledge on human sexuality and the consequences of sexual activity so that pupils are able to make informed decisions;
ii. 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
iii. 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:

i. Build healthy futures for yourself, family and society.
ii. Healthy relationships based on love and respect are the foundation for strong families.
iii. 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 GAN ENG SENG SCHOOL SEXUALITY EDUCATION PROGRAMME FOR 2011

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) Series:

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.

At Gan Eng Seng School, the following lessons from the GY series will be covered in 2011:

Target Levels	Topics/Lessons	What pupils will learn:	Time Period
Sec 1	Healthy Relationships (within family, between friends and persons of opposite sex)	The underlying value for healthy relationships is respect	Term 1
Sec 1	Public Display of Affection	Understand that certain public display of affection is not considered proper behaviour in our society	Term 3
Sec 2	Cyber Wellness, Social Networking and Cyber Relationships	Express view on social networking and be aware of the potential/possible danger of it Recognise that one does not need to rely on IRC to make friends	Term 1
Sec 2	Pornography	Know that the possession of pornographic materials is an offence by Singapore	Term 3
Sec 3	Coping with rejection and broken relationships	Recognise that break-ups may happen in relationships and that one can break up without hurting others
Sec 3	Single Dating : Should I Start?	Discern between healthy and unhealthy relationships	Term 3
Sec 4	Making Informed Choices (Premarital Sex and its Consequences)	Recognise the consequences of Sex How to evaluate the consequences and issues relating to abortion and pre-marital sex	Term 2

Other Programmes

At Gan Eng Seng School, we will be implementing the following programme for Sexuality Education in 2011 which is:

(a)

Topics/Lessons	What pupils will learn	Time Period
Birds and Bees, Flowers and Trees	Awareness of the different STIS and modes of transmission How to prevent STI/HIV transmission with abstinence as the key message	Term 3 for Sec 2s

The above programme is a 45-minute STI/AIDS Education skit, "Birds and Bees, Flowers and Trees", is targeted at Lower Secondary School students and it is approved by MOE in July 2011. Click here for more information. (To link to External Talk).

Topics/Lessons	What pupils will learn	Time Period
Of Birds and Bees (Sexual Behaviour	To increase the knowledge and at the same time clear up misunderstandings of human sexuality, allowing the teenagers to make more informed decisions about sexual activity. For students to gain a deeper understanding about the importance of effective communication within relationships and positive communication about sexuality. To provide opportunities for students to develop positive values and attitudes towards sex, gaining a respect for themselves, their bodies others.	Term 1 for Sec 4s and 5s

The above programme is a 2 hour workshop that covers information on shared sexual behaviour and sexual abstinence.
"Birds and Bees, Flowers and Trees", is targeted at Upper Secondary School students and it is approved by MOE. Click here for more information. (To link to External Talk 2).

Breaking Down Barriers (BDB) Programme

8. Breaking Down Barriers is a programme developed by Health Promotion Board, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education for Secondary 3 students. The programme was introduced to secondary schools in 2007 to give students accurate information on STIs, HIV and contraception from a health perspective. BDB is conducted in two segments—a mass talk segment and a class-based programme.

9. Students are taught skills such as decision-making, assertiveness and negotiation to say no to sex and negative peer pressure. They also learn that the impact of STI/HIV extends beyond themselves and involves their family. Abstinence and upholding family values are the key messages.

At Gan Eng Seng School, the BDB programme will be implemented as follows in 2011 :

Topics/Lessons	What pupils will learn:	Time Period
Mass Talk by HPB appointed vendor	Awareness of the different STIs and HIV/AIDS Modes of transmission Modes of protection, specifically on how the condom is used	Term 2
Class-based Lesson 1: Decision-Making	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.	Term 2
Class-based Lesson 2: Assertiveness	What is assertive behaviour? How can one respond to persuasion assertively	Term 2
Class-based Lesson 3: Negotiation	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).	Term 2

Other Programmes

At Gan Eng Seng School, we will be implementing the following programme for Sexuality Education in 2011 which is:

Topics/Lessons	What pupils will learn	Time Period
Birds and Bees, Flowers and Trees	Awareness of the different STIS and modes of transmission How to prevent STI/HIV transmission with abstinence as the key message	Term 3 for Sec 2s

INFORMATION FOR PARENTS

10. Parents can opt their children out of the school's entire sexuality education programme or for individual topics, talks or workshops.
11. Parents who wish to opt their children out of the Growing Years Series need to complete an opt-out form. This will be distributed to parents at the start of the year and or prior to the programme. A hardcopy of the form, duly completed and signed, is to be submitted to the school office by 18/2/2011. You may also click to the following link to download the opt out form:

Sec 1 Growing Years Series opt out form

Sec 2 Growing Years Series opt out form

Sec 3 Growing Years Series opt out form

Sec 4 Growing Years Series opt out form

Sec 5 Growing Years Series opt out form

12. Parents who wish to opt their children out of the Breaking Down Barriers (BDB) programme 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. A hardcopy of the form, duly completed and signed, is to be submitted to the school office by 4th April 2011.

13.Parents can attend the sexuality education programmes by external providers with their children if they wish to. Parents should contact the school to make the necessary arrangements.

14. For more information, please contact the school at 64745594 or email us at gess@moe.edu.sg if you would like to discuss or seek clarifications about our school’s sexuality education programme.