Sexuality Education
Sexuality Education
MOE Sexuality Education in Schools
1. Sexuality Education (SEd)
in schools aims to enable students to understand the physiological, social
and emotional changes they experience as they mature, develop healthy and
rewarding relationships with others, including those with members of the
opposite sex, and make wise, informed and responsible decisions on sexuality
matters. SEd is premised on the importance of the family as the basic unit
of society. This means encouraging healthy, heterosexual marriages and
stable nuclear family units with extended family support. The teaching
and learning of SEd is based on respect for the values and beliefs of the
different ethnic and religious communities in Singapore on sexuality issues.
2. The Goals of Sexuality
Education are to:
(a)
Support students in managing their physiological, social and emotional
changes as they grow up and develop safe and healthy relationships.
(b)
Guide students to make wise, informed and responsible decisions on sexuality
matters.
(c) Help students
develop a moral compass and respect for themselves and others by having
positive mainstream values and attitudes about sexuality that are premised
on the family as the basic unit of society.
3. The Key Messages of
Sexuality Education are to:
(a) Love
and respect yourself as you love and respect others;
(b) Build
positive relationships based on love and respect (which are the foundation
for strong families);
(c) Make responsible
decisions for yourself, your family and society; and
(iv) Abstinence
before marriage is the best protection against STIs/HIV and unintended
pregnancies. Casual sex can harm and hurt you and your loved ones.
You may click here for more information
on MOE Sexuality Education.
Overview of CHIJ St Nicholas Girls’ School (Sec) Sexuality Education Programme for 2023
4. Sexuality Education is delivered in a holistic manner through the school curriculum. The content for Sexuality Education is grouped into five main themes: Human Development, Interpersonal Relationships, Sexual Health, Sexual Behaviour, and, Culture, Society and Law. You may click here for more information on the scope of Sexuality Education in the school curriculum.
5. The subjects that incorporate topics
on sexuality include:
a. Science
b. Character and Citizenship Education (CCE)
Sexuality Education Lessons
6. The values and attitudes of our
youth towards sexuality are increasingly shaped by their peers, exposure
to the media, popular culture and the internet. Adolescence is a complex
stage in life as the adolescent attempts to find his/her own identity and
often struggles with new social relationships. The period of middle adolescence
(generally from 15 – 17 years old) can be a turbulent period for adolescents.
The gap between physical and emotional/cognitive maturity may result in
a tendency to act on impulse, experiment with various activities (including
sexual activities), sometimes without understanding the unpleasant consequences
that may arise from such experimentation. The need for peer acceptance
can be overwhelmingly strong, and hinder one’s ability to act responsibly.
Given the pressures faced by the middle adolescent from within themselves
and from peers, it is important to build a strong sense of self-worth,
personal conviction and an understanding of the possible consequences of
sexual behaviour.
7. Through the Sexuality Education
lessons, secondary students will have the opportunity to develop a positive
self-esteem, develop their character, and expand their understanding and
repertoire of skills to deal with various issues related to sexuality,
which are of prime concern at this age.
At CHIJ St Nicholas Girls’ School (Sec), the following Sexuality Education lessons will be taught in 2024
Secondary 1
Unit |
Lesson /
|
Lesson Overview |
Lesson Objectives
|
Time Period
|
---|---|---|---|---|
Respectful
|
Steady or Not Lesson 1
|
This lesson helps students understand more about relationship building and the different types of love (e.g. familial, platonic, romantic). They will have the opportunity to better understand the considerations involved in making responsible decisions towards dating and romantic relationships and understand how to build healthy and supportive relationships, both online and offline. |
· recognise the importance of monitoring and managing our emotional
reactions, in helpful ways that are reflective of our values and principles
|
Term 3 Week 3 |
Being Aware, Being Safe Lesson 2
|
This lesson focuses on helping students to be safe from the dangers of
sexual grooming and on respecting one’s right to safety. Students will
also learn about the legal provisions against sexual abuse, and the impact
of sexual abuse on victims, including the psychological impact on the sense
of self.
|
· understand that physical and psychological abuse from others, especially those we know and trust, can have strong negative effects on a person’s self-concept |
Term 3 Week 4 |
|
More than Meets the Eye Lesson 3
|
This lesson touches on two areas relevant to an adolescent’s curiosity
on matters related to sexuality – masturbation and pornography. Students
will gain awareness of the health, legal and moral issues related to viewing,
downloading and/or distributing pornography. While students may perceive
watching pornography as a private issue without consequences to bear, they
will learn that it could lead to addiction and/or other risky sexual behaviours.
|
· understand and accept that as we work towards becoming our best self,
there will be times when we make mistakes, and recognise the importance
of exercising moral courage in facing up to consequences
|
Term 3 Week 6 |
Secondary 2
Unit |
Lesson /
|
Lesson Overview |
Lesson Objectives
|
Time Period
|
---|---|---|---|---|
Respectful
|
A Role for Everyone Lesson 1
|
This lesson focus on how the family, culture and society can influence
one’s perception of their gender roles. Students will learn what gender
stereotypes are (e.g. males traditionally as breadwinners and females traditionally
as doing household chores) and how gender stereotypes are formed. Students
will discuss how one’s understanding of gender roles should not be limited
by gender stereotypes, for example women can be pilots, while men can be
nurses.
|
· know that one’s understanding of gender roles should not be limited
by gender stereotypes
|
Term 3 Week 1 |
Online Safety Challenge Lesson 2A
|
This lesson focuses on the issue of online grooming and cyber-flashing.
It emphasises the need for help-seeking, peer support and positive peer
influence. The lesson encourages the safe and responsible use of social
media, and aims to deepen students’ conviction, and extend a call to action
to students to taking appropriate decisions to safeguard their well-being
and safety.
|
· recognise one’s vulnerability to risky situations and the importance of exercising discretion to reduce risks and avoid negative consequences, both online and offline |
Term 3 Week 3 |
|
Do I or Don't I Lesson 2B
|
This lesson focuses on respect for personal boundaries; and how to be safe from risky sexual behaviour, teenage pregnancy and abortion. Students will learn the importance of respecting one another’s boundaries in relationships. This lesson emphasises the importance of responsible decision-making, the value of sexual abstinence, the need for help seeking. Students will be aware of Singapore laws protecting minors, such as the legal consequences of having sex with a minor, abortion and the abandonment of babies. |
· recognise the importance of self-respect and respect for others in relating
to members of the opposite gender
|
Term 3 Week 6 |
Secondary 3
Unit |
Lesson /
|
Lesson Overview |
Lesson Objectives
|
Time Period
|
---|---|---|---|---|
Respectful
|
Love Yourself, Love Others Lesson Lesson 1A
|
This lesson focuses on dating respectfully in healthy relationships. Students will learn about self-esteem, their sources of influence (e.g. friends’ perception) on self-esteem, the impact of one’s self-esteem on our mental well-being as well as relationships with others. Students will also learn how emotional reactions can affect relationships positively or negatively. Students will also learn that maturity and readiness are important when entering into a dating relationship. |
· know that self-perception and identity have an impact on our self-esteem and how we interact with others and the choices we make, both online and offline · understand that expectations of oneself and others may differ and can affect one’s emotions, thoughts and behaviours · recognise what healthy dating relationships involve and know that readiness is important when entering into a dating relationship |
Term 3 Week 1 |
Mending a Broken Heart Lesson 1B
|
Students will learn how to manage their emotions if they were to face a breakup and know that relationship building involves person emotions and vulnerabilities, and changes and challenges. Students will also learn that a decision to end a relationship will have consequences on oneself and others, and that grief and loss due to rejections and broken relationships is normal and that one can recover from the experience. They will learn that there are healthy ways of coping with breakdowns in relationships and that family and friends are important pillars of support.
|
· know that a decision to end a relationship will have consequences on oneself and others · know that grief and loss due to rejections and broken relationships is normal and one can recover from the experience know there are healthy ways of coping with broken relationships, and family and friends are important pillars of support |
Term 3 Week 6 |
|
When Respect Takes Centre Stage Lesson 2
|
This lesson aims to help students think critically and make informed decisions in the contexts of sexting and voyeurism, and encourages students to exert a positive influence as a respectful online user. It will also deepen students’ convictions about making moral decisions by taking into consideration the impact of their decisions and actions on their well-being and safety, their loved ones, and the community. Students learn that they have a right and responsibility to be safe and protect their personal space and body. They also learn that sexting, voyeurism and other related sexual offences are never justifiable and they can seek help in times of need. |
· recognise the importance of being informed of social and moral issues of the day and the need to reflect on these issues, and weigh them against our own moral standpoints as we form our perspectives about them understand that we strengthen our character when we commit to sound values-based viewpoints (e.g. respect for life) and decisions, and speak and act in alignment with our beliefs |
Term 4 Week 2 |
Secondary 4
Unit |
Lesson /
|
Lesson Overview |
Lesson Objectives
|
Time Period
|
---|---|---|---|---|
Respectful
|
Levelling the ground Lesson 1 (60 mins) |
This lesson aims to help students think critically about gender stereotypes that exist in our society in the contexts of career and family (e.g. males typically perceived as main breadwinners and females typically perceived as main caregivers in the family), and the impact of these stereotypes on individuals. Students will learn to be aware of possible gender stereotypes that may affect one’s family and future decisions. They will also learn to reframe their perspectives and not judge others based on their own or others’ values and principles, with regard to gender stereotypes. |
· understand that the value of a person is not tied to one’s gender and
not conforming to gender stereotypes does not negate one’s gender identity.
|
Term 3 Week 1 |
When Love Hurts Lesson 2
|
This lesson aims to help students recognise unhealthy relationships and build their help-seeking skills. Students will learn to identify potential signs of an unhealthy relationship and recognise the different forms of dating violence. They will get to understand why dating violence occurs, why victims often feel “trapped” in such unhealthy relationships, and how one can get out of such a relationship safely. Students will learn when, where and how to seek help from trusted adults (e.g. family, teachers, school counsellors) in the supportive environment that they have if they or their friends are involved in an unhealthy relationship. |
· know there are healthy ways of coping with broken relationships,
and family and friends are important pillars of support.
|
Term 3 Week 2 |
|
For Better or For Worse Lesson 3
|
This lesson focuses on building a positive relationship with one’s partner in a marriage. Students will understand that while a marriage, defined in Singapore as a union between a man and a woman, requires mutual commitment and effort like the other relationships in their lives, what sets a marriage apart is its lifelong commitment. Students will learn that what really matters to sustain and maintain a long-term romantic relationship leading to marriage is understanding the other person’s perspective and effectively communicating with each other. |
· know that long-term romantic relationships leading to marriage
involve understanding oneself and others in the intellectual, emotional,
social and moral dimensions.
|
Term 3 Week 3 |
|
There's Always More to a Story Lesson 4
|
In this lesson, students will revisit the impact of pornography and deepen their understanding on its impact on relationships. Students will also learn about revenge pornography, including its definition and legal provisions. They will also learn that they can turn to trusted adults for help in setting boundaries and overcoming difficulties in making sound decisions, to prevent themselves from encountering danger. |
· understand that we strengthen our character when we commit to sound values-based viewpoints (e.g. respect for life) and decisions, and speak and act in alignment with our beliefs. |
Term 3 Week 6 |
eTeens Programme
8. eTeens is a programme developed by Health Promotion Board, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, to provide Secondary 3 students with accurate information on STIs, HIV and protection from a health perspective. eTeens is conducted in two segments – a mass talk segment and a classroom-based programme.
9. 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 STIs/HIV extends beyond themselves and involves their family. Abstinence and upholding family values are the key messages. The desired outcome of the eTeens programme is that students are empowered to make wise, informed and sensible decisions.
At CHIJ St Nicholas Girls’ School, the eTeens programme will be implemented as follows in 2024:
Topics/
|
Programme Learning Objectives |
Time
|
---|---|---|
Mass Talk by
|
· Raise awareness and provide knowledge on: a) Infectious diseases (STIs and HIV): what it is, how it spreads, how to prevent infection mainly through ABC (abstinence, being faithful, correct, and consistent condom use). b) Managing relationships and risky situations in a healthy way. |
Term 3 Week 7 |
Classroom-
|
· Learn to negotiate their way out of a risky situation by applying skills of assertiveness and responsible decision-making |
Term 3 Week 9 |
Information for Parents
10. Parents may opt their children out of the Sexuality Education lessons, eTeens and/or supplementary sexuality education programmes by MOE-approved external providers.
11. Parents who wish to opt their children out of the Sexuality Education lessons need to complete an opt-out form. This form will be distributed to parents at the start of the year and is also downloadable here. The completed form is to be submitted by 19/04/2024.
12. Parents who wish to opt their children out of the eTeens programme need to complete an opt-out form. This form will be distributed to parents at the start of the year and is also downloadable here. The completed form is to be submitted by 19/04/2024.
13. Parents can contact the school at chijsng_sec@moe.edu.sg for discussion or to seek clarification about the school’s sexuality education programme.