Sex education in Kerala raises eyebrows

Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 19: In the highly literate state of Kerala, sex education still seems to be a taboo.

But the Marxist-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) Government is determined to go ahead with the move to introduce a handbook on sex education for students of standard IX and XI despite criticism it was nothing but mere pornography.

''There is no question of giving up the programme, but we may make necessary changes in the handbook if necessary,'' State Education Minister M A Baby told UNI here.

Several students outfits, organisations and a section of teachers and parents have raised objection to the introduction of Adolescent Education Programme (AEP) in schools.

Stating the introduction of sex education in schools was necessary in the present times, Mr Baby said there was no need for raking up a controversy as the government was ready to make any changes to the handbook, if pointed out.

The government would introduce the book only after taking into confidence of all those who opposed it, he said.

The object of introducing sex education in schools was to make students aware on transmission of dreaded diseases like AIDS and also to give them a correct knowledge about sex.

Mr Baby said if they were not given correct information on sex, they would go for sub-standard periodicals. The misconceptions should be cleared, he added.

As the first step, the Curriculum Committee would review course content and redraft it after removing the controversial portions, he said adding the government also planning to invite journalists and other experts in the field for an open debate on the subject.

The new book would have all the suggestions arrived at the debate, he added.

Though the government had planned to introduce sex education in schools from this academic year itself, following the widespread protests and agitations from many students unions like pro-Congress Kerala Students Union (KSU), pro-Muslim League Muslim Students Federation (MSF), it was forced to suspend the AEP temporarily, prescribed by the UNICEF, for the time being.

The curriculum module prepared by the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) freely discussed various aspects of teenage sexuality with students and also gave them tips on safe sex. The handbook has three parts, including sex and adolescence, HIV and human skills. The HIV part, it was alleged, breaks down pre-existing notions of modesty and encouraged acceptance of practices like premarital sex, deemed immoral in Kerala society.

Teachers have found the material too embarrassing and seriously lacking cultural, psychological and moral perspectives. Many teachers had come up with protests.

However, Mr Baby clarified that there was no need for male teachers to discuss the module with female teachers. There was no cause for anxiety to parents as the boys would be taught by male teachers and girls by female teachers.

Mr Ravindran Pillai of NSS High School here said ''I kept the book in my shelf itself as the contents had lot of filthy language which could not be discussed with teachers, particularly lady teachers.'' However, he agreed sex education was a must in schools as it would help remove the misconception of sex among students. Now they were receiving knowledge through sub-standard periodicals, which was very dangerous, he added.

KSU President Vishnunath, MLA, said his organisation was not against the sex education. But we opposed the handbook which was handed over to teachers during training period.

Mr Vishnunath alleged the handbook was prepared without any forethought, copying the Western pattern. ''Can we set up condom vending machines on the premises of our schools as practiced in many foreign countries?'' he asked.

Admitting sex education was a must in schools, he said while introducing such a system it should be within the limit of Kerala's culture and social set up.

Supporting KSU's arguments that sex education was need of the hour, SFI State Secretary M Swaraj said ''we are not demanding its implementation in its current form.'' MSF Secretary P M Haneefa said that ''we are not opposing sex education in schools. What we are opposing is the method of teaching and the module.

Pointing out to lack of basic facilities in schools to provide sex education, he suggested that the government take all steps to provide sufficient facilites and proper training to teachers.

The programme comprised a 16-hour discussion module on sexuality, adolescent growth issues and sexually transmitted diseases,especially AIDS, under the direction of the National Council for Education, Research and Training, its counterpart in the State, the SCERT and Kerala State Aids Control Society.

UNI