Sex education to be put into curriculum

Sex education to be put into curriculum

JAKARTA (JP): The Ministry of Education intends to introduce
sex education into the curriculum by methodically integrating it
into existing school subjects and activities.

The ministry's director general of elementary and secondary
education, Indra Djati Sidi, said it would be integrated in such
a way so as not to burden students who already have a full school
load to deal with.

Speaking after opening a nationwide competition on creativity
for students and teachers of elementary level, Indra told
journalists that elements of sex education would be
proportionally integrated at all levels of primary education.

"Sex education will also be given through various activities,
including extracurricular programs and discussions with
sexologists and related experts," Indra claimed.

Indra could not say how soon sex education would be introduced
as the teaching material for the subject is still being drafted
by his office to suit the different student levels.

Indra appealed for parents' support, and said parents would
also be able to impart their knowledge about the subject to
students.

"To gain support from parents, we are going to run a public
campaign on this project and we will also hold proactive dialogs
in teacher-parent associations," Indra said.

He appealed to the public not to be overly concerned about the
unintended effects of sex education in school.

"Sex is a fact of life," he remarked.

"Sexual matters are not taboo in religious teachings and we
are going to design (teaching material) so it will be appropriate
according to ethics in the East," Indra explained.

Education experts have been stressing the importance of sex
education in school to fight ignorance about sex among young
people.

Many have cited the ignorance in this field as one of the
causes which contribute to the spread of AIDS among young people.
(08)