'I'm in control', so say 'no' tof premarital sex
By Sean Augustin
sean@nst.com.my
KUALA LUMPUR: The issues of rape and abortion are among the topics in the module for a more holistic approach to sex education.
The module, entitled "Living Skills", provides for students to be informed about risky situations that can lead to pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases.
One of the sub-modules, called "I'm in Control" (IIC), which was developed by the National Population and Family Development Board, talks about date rape, sexual harassment, the "do's" and "don'ts" of a rape victim and the potential psychological damage caused.
The IIC sub-module will be combined with other modules developed by other parties to make up the Living Skills module.
"We want to highlight the implications of risky and unhealthy behaviour.
"We also have a section on legal literacy of which many are not aware, like statutory rape and its implications," the board's director-general, Datuk Aminah Abdul Rahman, said yesterday.
The IIC module was put through a trial run in five schools in Kelantan, Pahang, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Penang, to positive feedback.
Yesterday, the NST reported that the new module, co-developed with several non-governmental organisations, was meant to address a range of issues including teenage pregnancies and lack of parenting skills.
The IIC module also encourages youth to abstain from sex, with tips on how to say "no" to premarital sex.
"Peer pressure and the changing value system are among the reasons adolescents are involved in pre-marital sex," said Aminah.
There is another version of the IIC that is directed to the parents of the schoolchildren involved.
The parent's version touches on physiological changes of children, information parents could share with children and parenting techniques.
Aminah said, however, the implementation of the Living Skill module was still awaiting approval of the Education Ministry.
Facilitators chosen to teach social and reproductive health education will undergo training for a week, which will be conducted by the board itself.
Instructors will conduct discussions, role-playing and interactive activities based on the manual.
Meanwhile, Women's Aid Organisation executive director Ivy Josiah said non-governmental organisations should be given a pat on the back for their lobbying.
This, she said, no longer made sex a taboo subject.
"What is also important are the parents. Once they are on board, sex education can be made compulsory."
Josiah, who is also All Women's Action Society programme manger, said the module was long overdue and insisted that it should be made a formal subject.
It was reported yesterday that the module would be co-curricular and not part of the main syllabus.
Parents can opt whether or not to have their children attend classes.
"If we want to educate children at a young age and tackle a serious problem, we can't treat it as a co-curricular activity," said Josiah.
Read more: 'I'm in control', so say 'no' tof premarital sex http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/6xed/Article#ixzz15CefvZVe
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