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Scope and Teaching Approach of Sexuality Education in Schools

Sexuality Education in schools is taught in both the formal curriculum and co-curricular programmes. These are covered under the four main themes of Human Development, Interpersonal Relationships, Sexual Health and Behaviour, and, Societal Influences:

  1. Human Development: the onset of puberty and its psychological and emotional impact
  2. Interpersonal Relationships: the skills and values for healthy relationships with members of the opposite sex
  3. Sexual Health and Behaviour: expressions of sexuality and their consequences
  4. Societal Influences: social influences and impact of legal positions on sexual identity and sexual expressions

Formal Curriculum

The subjects in which sexuality education topics are incorporated are:

  1. Science (76kb .pdf)

    Upper primary Science introduces the concept of reproduction and inheritance. These topics are elaborated further in the lower secondary science and upper secondary biology syllabuses. Under these secondary level syllabuses, topics on the reproductive systems, menstrual cycle, birth control, sexually transmitted infections (e.g. gonorrhoea and AIDS/HIV), and the consequences of abortion and pre-marital sex are also covered. In Pre-U Biology, the topic on genetics of viruses looks in-depth at the reproduction of HIV and how viral infection causes the disease.

  2. Health Education (only at Primary Levels) (68kb .pdf)

    Health Education is offered to all pupils at the primary level. Topics related to sexuality education are found in the Physical Health; and Emotional and Psychological Health dimensions of the syllabus.

    In the Physical Health dimension, pupils learn to recognise the different physical changes such as the increase in height and weight which they experience during puberty.

    In the Emotional and Psychological Health dimension, pupils learn about measures to protect themselves from sexual abuse. The different sources of help available to those who may be sexually abused is also included in the syllabus. Topics on learning how to care for others and managing conflicts as well as relationships during puberty are also addressed in Health Education.

  3. Civics and Moral Education (CME) (56kb .pdf)

    CME is a compulsory subject from the primary to the secondary levels. The focus of CME is on nurturing people of good character and useful citizens. The CME syllabus is founded on six core values; namely, Respect, Responsibility, Resilience, Integrity, Care and Harmony (R3ICH). Through the use of stories, case-studies and real life situations, the CME programme focuses on teaching students these values and guiding them to put the values into practice in the domains of self, family, community, nation and the world. For sexuality education, CME builds the foundation for respectful, responsible and caring relationships through fostering positive attitudes towards self and others.

Co-Curricular Programmes

The Growing Years (GY) Programme

The Growing Years (GY) series (66kb .pdf) addresses the subject of human sexuality from a holistic perspective, involving the cognitive, emotional, social, physical and moral aspects of sexuality.

Topics covered include building rewarding and responsible relationships, dating, going steady and marriage, issues in sexual health and behaviours, consequences of teenage sexual activity and pregnancies (including abortion) and influence of the media. Abstinence is presented and promoted as providing teenagers with the highest level of protection against unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases.

In addition, the multi-media package entitled the Growing Years Series, examines the facts, attitudes and values relevant to sexuality. Each package consists of a VCD and a Teacher’s Resource. The Series has been produced for the upper primary, lower secondary, upper secondary and Junior College/Centralised Institute levels according to the students’ developmental needs.

Training is provided for teachers selected by their schools, to equip them with the skills to facilitate students’ learning.

The GY series is adopted for all government schools. Typically, schools implement minimum lesson hours of between 4 to 8 hours per year depending on the level of their students and their needs. Independent and faith-based aided schools may offer their own programmes. Parents may opt their children out of the GY programme.

Breaking Down Barriers (BDB) Programme

“Breaking Down Barriers” (8kb .pdf) is a programme developed by Health Promotion Board, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education. It focuses on STI/HIV education for Secondary 3 and Junior College / Centralised Institute 1 students. The programme was introduced to secondary schools in 2007 to give students accurate information on STIs, HIV and contraception from a health perspective. The programme was introduced to JCs/CI in 2009.

Students are taught skills such as decision-making, assertiveness and negotiation to say no to sex and negative peer pressure. They also learn that the impact of STI/HIV extends beyond themselves and involves their family. Abstinence and upholding family values are the key messages.

BDB is conducted in two segments—a mass talk segment and a class-based programme. Parents can opt their children out of the BDB programme as parents are ultimately responsible for the health and moral values of their children.

Engagement of External Providers

In addition to MOE’s sexuality education programmes, schools can tap on the expertise of external providers from MOE’s panel of appointed external providers to complement these programmes for greater effectiveness. In doing so, schools must ensure that any programmes run by external providers comply with MOE’s framework for sexuality education and guidelines for engaging external providers.

Periodic audits are instituted to check on the fidelity of sexuality education programmes in schools as well as their compliance with guidelines on the engagement of external providers.

External providers interested in conducting sexuality education programmes in schools can visit the Information for External Providers webpages for more information.