Parliamentary panel says no to sex education in schools

April 21, 2009

16 Apr 2009, 1304 hrs IST, PTI

NEW DELHI: A Parliamentary committee has disfavoured introduction of sex

education in schools and suggested inclusion of appropriate chapters in

Biology syllabus, but not before plus two stage.

" Message should appropriately be given to school children that there should be

no sex before marriage which is immoral, unethical and unhealthy, " the committee

on petitions of Rajya Sabha said in its latest report which said " there should

be no sex education in schools " .

The panel headed by senior BJP leader M Venkaiah Naidu said that students should

be made aware of the fact that indulging in sex outside the institution of

marriage was against social ethos.

" Students should also be made aware that child marriage is illegal and is

injuries to the health of girl child. They should also be educated that

consensual sex below 16 years of age amounts to rape, " the Committee said.

The panel suggested that appropriate, age specific curriculum should be drawn up

for scientific health education, moral education, personality development and

character building.

The report on the petition seeking a national debate on introduction of sex

education in schools said appropriate chapters on HIV/AIDS may be incorporated

in biology syllabus in higher classes.

The committee said chapters like 'Physical and Mental Development in

Adolescents' and 'HIV/AIDS and other Sexually Transmitted Diseases' may be

removed from the present curriculum and included in the books of biology at the

ten plus two stage.

" This would be more effective, appropriate and acceptable, " it said.

The committee suggested that its views should be considered by the government

while finalizing the new syllabus, which would act as a model for the entire

country.

It said before implementing the syllabus in all schools, a consensus should be

arrived at by placing it before a conference of chief ministers.

The committee said pending finalization of the new syllabus, the existing

Adolescence Education Programme (AEP) literature should be withdrawn from all

state run or CBSE affiliated schools.

The petition was filed in the backdrop of reported decision of the HRD Ministry

to impart sex education to students from class six in CBSE affiliated schools.

The petitioners felt the decision had shocked the conscience of all culture

loving people of the country.

in-schools/articleshow/4409307.cms

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