Many paths. One purpose.

MOE'S SEXUALITY EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS

1. Sexuality education is an important programme in our schools. It 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:
   • provide accurate and adequate knowledge on human sexuality and the consequences of sexual activity so that pupils are able to make informed decisions;
   • 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
   • 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:
   • Build healthy futures for yourself, family and society.
   • Healthy relationships based on love and respect are the foundation for strong families.
   • 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 ASSUMPTION PATHWAY SCHOOL'S SEXUALITY EDUCATION PROGRAMME FOR 2010


4. Formal Curriculum
   Sexuality Education is incorporated into the Monfort Development Programme (MDP), which is the school's character education programme. The goal is to educate our students on building healthy relationships with the opposite sex and to abstain from inappropriate behaviours. Building Relationships would be the anchor to sex and sex education would be taught in the context of a relationship and all its intricacies, such as self-esteem, values and beliefs. A wholesome view of what a balanced relationship would be shared so that children from various backgrounds understand the goal and aim of having a relationship. The choices of abstinence and the consequences of indulging in premarital sex would also be shared and revealed.
   
   
5. Co-Curricular Programmes
   Values and beliefs on building healthy relationships with the opposite sex would also be delivered through other platforms such as the Assembly Programmes. Speakers, whether in-house or from external agencies may be invited to talk on issues related to sex education. However such speakers would have to work directly with the school and teach sex education in the context of building meaningful and healthy relationships.
   
   
6. At Assumption Pathway School, the following lessons from the GY series will be covered in 2010:
   
   
   

   Target Levels	Topics/Lessons	What pupils will learn:	Time Period
   Year 1	Healthy Relationship with the Opposite Sex	That respect is the underlying value for a healthy relationship To recognise the importance of cultivating healthy relationships maintain a healthy relationship with the opposite sex	Term 2
   	Love and Infatuation	To distinguish the various types of love To differentiate infatuation, love and sexual desire To understand constructive ways of expressing love	Term 2
   	Going Steady – What and When	What it means to go steady To consider when is the right time to go steady Disadvantages of going steady at a young age	Term 3
   	Going Steady – Peer Pressure	How they can be pressured by friends and pop culture to go steady How to make an informed judgement on these influences and to  develop their own value system	Term 3
   	Breaking up without breaking down	To identify healthy ways of dealing with break ups The process of grief and loss experienced when a relationship breaks up How to break up in a positive  way	Term 3
   Year 2	Sexual Abstinence	To understand the value of sexual abstinence The temptation and dangers of premarital sex including teen pregnancy That premarital or underage sex in not a private matter but has consequences for both parties and their families	Term 1
   	Sexual Temptation	To recognise sources of sexual temptation To take action to avoid dangerous situations How to refrain from having a sexual relationship	Term 1
   	The Point of No Return	To recognise the consequences of petting To avoid tempting situations	Term 1
   	Teenage pregnancy – Choices and Consequences	The physiological, psychological and social impact of teen pregnancy To examine possible options in the decision making process involving a teenage pregnancy Too understand that every option is not a private decision but has consequences for both parties and their families	Term 2
   	Public Display of Affection	That public display of affect are not considered appropriate behaviour in our society That appropriate and sensible dressing is important	Term 2



7. INFORMATION FOR PARENTS
   1. Parents can opt their children out of the entire sexuality education programme or for individual topics, talks or workshops.
   2. Parents who wish to opt their children out of the Growing Years Series need to complete an opt-out form. This form will be distributed to parents at the start of the sexuality education programme and is also downloadable in 4 languages
      1. English
      2. Chinese
      3. Malay
      4. Tamil
      A hardcopy of the form, duly completed and signed, is to be submitted to the school office should parents decide to withdrawal the child from the programme.
   3. 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.
   4. Parents can contact the school for discussion or seek clarifications about the school’s sexuality education programme.
      
      
8. Currently, the talks and workshops are conducted by our own trained teachers for sexuality education.  We have not identified any external providers to teach sexuality education.