THE sexuality education programme has been effective in raising
student understanding on sexuality matters, including the negative
consequences of teenage sexual activity, said Minister for
Education Dr Ng Eng Hen in Parliament on Monday.
Responding to a question by Nominated MP Terry Lee, Dr Ng said
that the Ministry of Education regularly reviews the effectiveness
of sexuality education in schools and takes steps to improve the
content and delivery of the programme.
In his written response, Dr Ng said cases of sexually
transmitted diseases including HIV among teenagers has declined
over the last three years, as did the number of teenage abortions
and teenage live births.
Teenage pregnancy rates fell by 4 per cent in 2008, and by 11
per cent in 2009, from 2,196 in 2007.
Besides regularly collecting student feedback on the sexuality
education programme, the Ministry also consults a steering
committee made up of medical professionals, educators, family life
educators and counsellors in reviewing curriculum to ensure the
sexuality education programme remains relevant to students today,
said Dr Ng.
-- ST