Lets talk about sex: Govt. tells schools

[Guest guest]

The India Express 17 August 2001, New Delhi.

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Let’s talk about sex: Govt tells schools

Sunetra Choudhury

DELHI government is all set to give the birds-and-bees lesson to school

students. A move which definitely seems progressive but for the fact that it

aims to advocate abstinence to students who are sexually active in their teens.

The project is already underway at 450 government schools in the Capital and is

the second phase of the National AIDS Control Programme Phase II. Before

formally launching the course in schools, the government undertook a survey in

the schools to gauge awareness levels. Initial reports suggest that students are

more sexually aware than the teachers.

The Delhi State AIDS Control Society which has been coordinating with various

agencies like National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) and UN agencies have

been holding various workshops to kick off the project. A half-day workshop for

sensitisation of the principals in various districts of the Capital has already

been held.

What is interesting is that along with teachers who are going to aid the

dissemination of the sex education programme, there are going to be students

involved as well. Termed ‘peer educators’, two of them along with two nodal

teachers will be acting as the guides in the school. A three-day training

programme will equip them with the necessary skills. Their aid is the booklet

called ‘Learning for Life’ which has been developed by the National Council of

Educational Research and Training (NCERT), NACO and UNESCO and UNICEF.

“We are identifying physical education teachers as nodal teachers as studies

show that they are the ones with whom students relax the most,” said Aslam Naved

of the state AIDS society. Also, they did not want to burden on subject teachers

like that of science. “The students who are into extra-curricular activities or

are generally active in school are chosen as peer-educators,” said Naved.

Prior to this, the Delhi government did have separate cells of population

education, which promoted sex education in schools, but this programme is aimed

to make all such programmes more focused. A separate class will be held once a

week to the subject.

However, the efficacy of this programme depends on the enthusiasm of the school

authorities themselves. At present, they are too wary to approach the subject.

“We do not talk directly about HIV/AIDS, we just let children follow certain

exercises,” said Naved. Neither do they talk about condoms, a safe sex tool.

In fact, a certain section of the book says-Do not advocate condom use. “This is

to avoid parental complaints about encouraging sexual activity,” said Naved.

Instead of coming to terms with early sexual activity, what the book reiterates

at various points in the book is just one message-Abstinence before marriage,

faithfulness after marriage. A bit detached from reality as an NGO worker from

this sector said that most students become sexually active during their teens.

However, there are bright spots. Boys are told that it is okay to masturbate,

teachers to empathise with special situations and not be judgmental, and how it

is okay to interact with those infected with HIV. The basic message-Sex is good,

but within marriage.

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Dr. Jagdish Harsh

Assistant Director

François-Xavier Bagnoud (INDIA)

161, Satya Niketan, Moti Bagh-II

New Delhi-110 021, INDIA

Phone: 91.11.611 1793-94; Fax: 91.11.410 7381

E-mail: fxbindia@...; Web: http://www.fxb.org/india.htm

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