sex education: is malaysia ready for it?

Sex Education:Is Malaysia ready for it? : 

Sex Education:Is Malaysia ready for it? Nurhayati Ghazali Nurul Ezdiani Fudhlana Shahri Nurul Iman Ahmad Bukhari

Our Stand: : 

Our Stand: Malaysia should implement sex education fully, yet with the proper module.

Importance of Sex Education : 

Importance of Sex Education National Education Philosophy: “Education in Malaysia is an on-going efforts towards further developing the potential of individuals in a holistic and integrated manner, so as to produce individuals who are intellectually, spiritually, emotionally and physically balanced and harmonic, based on a firm belief in and devotion to God. Such an effort is designed to produce Malaysian citizens who are knowledgeable and competent, who possess high moral standards and who are responsible and capable of achieving high level of personal well-being as well as being able to contribute to the harmony and betterment of the family, the society and the nation at large”

…NEP continued : 

…NEP continued Spiritual development and sex education A fear of God Making sure that moral and religious elements are reminded and included in the modules as a complement to mere content delivery of sexual reproductive health. Religion prohibitions of pre marital sex Islamic perspective: There is only one “sex education” for Muslims. This education must be based on the sexual union of man and wife as a totally holy function, one which must be publicly endorsed by the entire community. Without that endorsement (which we call akad nikah), unmarried sex remains an animal function that can only produce children with animal souls

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Intellectual development and sex education Provides information on STDs, HIVs, AIDs and other consequences or effects of unprotected/premarital sex. Emotional development and sex education Sex education is a necessary preliminary for the development of emotional balance in adult life. Prepare young adults with the consequences, and/or effects through sex education in schools. Provide individuals with the knowledge necessary to liberate themselves from socially organized sexual oppression and to make up their own minds Physical development and sex education Describe education about human sexual anatomy, sexual reproduction, sexual intercourse, reproductive health

Reasons For Sex Education : 

Reasons For Sex Education 10 reasons we need comprehensive sex education in our schools: 1. Sex is not a topic that kids are discussing at home with their family 2. Kids are bombarded daily by the media with sexual topics and images 3. Comprehensive sex education reduces the rates of teens getting pregnant or contracting STDs 4. Children are having sex at earlier ages

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5. Rates for teens getting transmitting STDs are soaring 6. Telling kids to abstain or “just say no” to sex only fuels the fire 7. No evidence that providing comprehensive sex education encouraged kids to be sexually active 8. Parents rely on the schools to provide the education 9. Makes dialogue between kids and their parents more likely 10. Sex education helps to make sure that children understand the emotional and psychological pitfalls of sex and how these can affect them.

Sex Education Worldwide : 

Sex Education Worldwide Egypt teaches knowledge about male and female reproductive systems, sexual organs, contraception and STDs in public schools at the second and third years of the middle-preparatory phase (when students are aged 12–14) England and Wales Sex education is not compulsory in schools as parents can refuse to let their children take part in the lessons. The curriculum focuses on the reproductive system, fetal development, and the physical and emotional changes of adolescence, while information about contraception and safe sex is discretionary and discussion about relationships is often neglected.

…continued : 

…continued United States Almost all U.S. students receive some form of sex education at least once between grades 7 and 12; many schools begin addressing some topics in grades 5 or 6. However, what students learn varies widely, because curriculum decisions are so decentralized. Many states have laws governing what is taught in sex education classes or allowing parents to opt out. Some state laws leave curriculum decisions to individual school districts Two main forms of sex education are taught in American schools: comprehensive and abstinence-only

What the experts say… : 

What the experts say… “Teaching moral literacy to prevent students from engaging in immoral behavior should involve more than a listing of moral virtues on a classroom wall” (Walker, 2002 as cited by Santrock, 2008). Instead, “children and adolescents need to participate in critical discussions of values – to discuss and reflect on how to incorporate virtues into their daily lives” (Santrock, 2008).

…continued : 

…continued “Sexual education seen as providing individuals with the knowledge necessary to make up their own minds.” (Wilhelm Reich, James W. Prescott and Sigmund Freud) “IT is ‘absolutely crucial’ to introduce sexual reproductive health education in schools” (Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil)

…continued : 

…continued Based on Erikson’s Eight Life-Span Stages, in the years of adolescence (10 to 20 years old), an individual is at the stage of identity versus identity confusion. In this stage, “adolescents try to find out who they are, what they are all about, and where they are going in life. They are confronted with many new roles and adult statuses (such as vocational and romantic). (Santrock, 2008). = Adolescents NEED GUIDANCE =

History of sex ed in Malaysia : 

History of sex ed in Malaysia JANUARY 1991 The National Union of the Teaching Profession disagreed with a suggestion to allow films and videotapes depicting sexual scenes to be used for educational purposes. SEPTEMBER 1992 The Cabinet Committee on AIDS proposed that sex education, with emphasis on AIDS prevention, be taught to Form Two pupils. OCTOBER 1992 The Education Ministry decided not to use the term “sex education” for the subject on sex as it can be misconstrued by the public. It would be known as “family health education” and taught to only secondary school students. DECEMBER 1994 Sex education would be introduced as a subject called “family life education” for students from Forms Two to Five beginning the 1995/96 school term.

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SEPTEMBER 1998 The proposal to include sex education in schools has been perceived negatively by some parents and groups in the society, said the Federation of Family Planning Associations. APRIL 2000 Sex education was taught in Penang under a pilot project involving Form 3 students in 15 schools. DECEMBER 2003 Teachers would be given guidelines on how to approach subjects on sexuality early next year. DECEMBER 2006 The Cabinet gave the green light to introduce sex education into the school syllabus at all levels, said the Ministry of Education.A sum of RM20 million had been allocated to provide training, campaigns and promotional materials for sex education.

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MARCH 2007 A plan to expand the scope of the sex education programme beyond students was holding back the roll-out of the guidelines. MAY 2008 Sex education and the danger of HIV and AIDS would be introduced under the National Service training programme starting October NOVEMBER 2008 Sex education was unlikely to be introduced in the National Service training. PRESENT?

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National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN), is pushing ahead with its "I'm In Control" sexual reproductive health module, which is currently being tested in five secondary schools. Involves 308 Form Four students in five urban and rural schools situated in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Penang, Pahang and Kelantan. Module: inculcate a healthy lifestyle sexuality issues, and ultimately to prevent pregnancies, unsafe abortions, abandoned babies, and sexually-transmitted diseases

Misperceptions of Sex Ed : 

Misperceptions of Sex Ed Sex Ed is a class which talks about sex only. Exposing condoms etc. would only encourage adolescents to have premarital sex.  This could happen with the wrong way of delivery. THE MINISTRY SHOULD CHANGE THIS

So what is wrong with sex ed in malaysia? : 

So what is wrong with sex ed in malaysia? MESSAGE: Don’t have sex because you’ll get pregnant and get diseases! Seemed as a hastened program, and as a mere cover up for the uncontrollable baby-abandoning /dumping phenomena in Malaysia. The only covered topics: Definition and elements of sexuality Responsibility to sexually related matters Abstinence Awareness of sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV, AIDS and others Not deep enough to cover for the real problem at hand

This is what’s wrong! – no segregation : 

This is what’s wrong! – no segregation Among pioneer programmes of Sex Ed launched [March 20, 2010, at a Community Rehabilitation centre in Selayang (PDK Selayang]

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Try talking about sex seriously in this environment..poor kids..

Yay! Snakes & Ladders about Sexually transmitted diseases! : 

Yay! Snakes & Ladders about Sexually transmitted diseases! Teen Talk: Teens and Sexuality (May 12, 2010)

How Sex Ed Should Be : 

How Sex Ed Should Be Sex Ed SHOULD: Not only focus on the reproductive system and ways of prevention of pregnancy… BUT More emphasize on ways of caring for the adolescent body, value of self, and expressing the safest value ever: “Abstinence till marriage!” (in compliant with our Malaysia’s culture)

Recommendations of Implementation : 

Recommendations of Implementation James Nayagam (The Star, July 2010): “Telling students to abstain from sex these days is like telling them not to smoke. Those of us in the front line have a tough time telling girls and boys not to get close. But, alas, our advice falls on deaf ears. Sometimes they think they are in love and give in easily without taking precautions. Adults are equally vulnerable, but what really keeps us away from trouble is the family. For some, the thought of disappointing their parents deters them from doing anything wrong.

..continued : 

..continued Next is the spiritual development. Children need to be taught the fear of God. So telling students to abstain from sex may not be the only method as more important is the role of the family and the quality of family relationship and spiritual development. Educating kids on the risks of having sex before marriage will be a more constructive approach in addressing the issue.” We stay with our stand: Malaysia should implement sex education fully, yet with the proper module.

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….Thank You for lending your eyes & ears! - Yati, Nurul, & Iman