MALAYSIAN GOVERNMENT SAYS NO TO SEX EDUCATION

KUALA LUMPUR, April 27 (Bernama) -- Sex education will not be taught as a
specific subject in schools as it has been imparted through other subjects, the
Senate was told Tuesday.

Deputy Education Minister Dr Puad Zarkashi said sex education or otherwise
known as reproductive health education was imparted through subjects like
language, biology, science, additional science, moral education and Islamic
education.

He said as such, the ministry was in the process of training teachers as
main coaches in reproductive and social health education at the national level
to show the ropes to teachers at the state level.

"The main coach training provides exposure on the implementation of the
reproductive health and social education in the search for suitable teaching and
learning approaches in the classroom," he said when responding to a question
from Senator Doris Sophia Brodi.

Puad said the role of parents and community acceptance would go a long way
in assisting teachers to ensure effective implementation of the reproductive
health education curriculum.

"Parents' openness in discussing matters related to sex with their children
and support from other parties could indirectly enhance the effectiveness of the
curriculum in schools.

"It thus reduces the sensitivity of the subject to enable it to be accepted
as a natural process that must be seen in correct perspective," he added.

-- BERNAMA