MOE Sexuality Education

1. Sexuality Education (SEd) in schools is about enabling students to understand the physiological, social and emotional changes they experience as they mature, develop healthy and rewarding relationships 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. 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:
(i) To help students make wise, responsible and informed decisions through the provision of accurate, current and age-appropriate knowledge on human sexuality and the consequences of sexual activity;
(ii) To help students know themselves and build healthy and rewarding relationships through the acquisition of social and emotional skills of self-awareness, management of their thoughts, feelings and behaviours, development of empathy for others, possession of effective communication, problem-solving and decision-making skills; and
(iii) To help students develop a moral compass, respect for themselves and for others as sexual beings, premised on the family as the basic unit of society, through the inculcation of positive mainstream values and attitudes about sexuality. 

3. The key messages of Sexuality Education are:
(i) Love and respect yourself as you love and respect others;
(ii) Build positive relationships based on love and respect (which are the foundation for strong families);
(iii) 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 Raffles Institution (Year 5-6)’s 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.

Sexuality Education

5. The focus for Sexuality Education at Pre-University is on respectful relationships. Specifically, the JC/CI package covers Interpersonal Relationships, with themes of Human Development, Sexual Health, Sexual Behaviour, and Culture, Society and Law woven into the main focus on relationships. 

The following lessons from the Sexuality Education Programme will be taught at RI in 2023:

Year 5

60mins, Term 3 Week 7

At the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

• navigate challenges in a dating relationship
• identify early indications of a breakdown in a relationship
• know when to seek help and who to turn to for support
• appreciate that one can emerge stronger and be better prepared for future relationships
• develop a deeper understanding of what dating and family violence entails and be reminded of the importance of respect for others

Lesson 2 - If Not Now When (Part 1)
60mins, Term 3 Week 8

At the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

• examine issues related to abstinence 
• explore the tension between being free to make personal choices regardless of consequences, and being responsible for the consequences of their choices
• understand that, in the face of conflicting voices and perspectives, they need to focus on integrity, and choose to act in accordance with sound values and moral principles
• understand that in so doing, one makes responsible decisions for oneself and others, and accepts the consequences of doing so

Lesson 3 - If Not Now When (Part 2)
60mins, Term 3 Week 9

At the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

• examine issues related to abortion and the impact of sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
• understand that one has to make responsible decisions for both self and others
• understand that sexual abstinence is the only way to remove any risks that come with casual sex
• know how to support friends or others who may be pregnant or have STIs 

Year 6

Lesson 4 - Why is Voyeurism Wrong?
60mins, Term 1 Week 8

At the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

• examine the relationship between rights and responsibilities by exploring societal expectations, the laws and the legal consequences of inappropriate sexual behaviour 
• examine what makes voyeurism wrong
• learn the importance of the law as signposts for desired behaviours and conduct in society
• learn the importance of one’s moral compass in responsible decision-making and choosing to do what is right

Lesson 5 - Overcoming Stereotypes
60mins, Term 1 Week 9

At the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

• recognize that some segments of society may inaccurately reflect the efforts needed to maintain healthy relationships 
• understand how societal influences can skew one’s understanding of gender stereotypes
• learn how gender stereotypes (e.g. boys should not cry, and are to suppress emotional sensitivity so as not to seem weak; girls are physically weak and unathletic, and downplay achievements so as to fit in) can affect interactions and relationships in ways that are harmful to themselves and others

Mass Talk by HPB appointed Vendor (Term 3)

Programme Learning Objectives:

• Awareness of the different STI and HIV
• Modes of transmission for STI and HIV
• Modes of protection against infection, specifically abstinence and the correct use of condom
• Consequences and impact of STI/HIV
• State the ways of managing the challenges of the impact

8. Parents may opt their children out of Sexuality Education and/or supplementary sexuality education programmes by MOE-approved external providers. 

9. Y6 parents who wish to opt their children out of the Sexuality Education lessons need to complete an opt-out form. This form is downloadable here. The completed form is to be submitted by 10/02/2023. 

10. Y5 Parents who wish to opt their children out of the Sexuality Education lessons and/or eTeens programme need to complete an opt-out form. This form will be distributed to parents in Term 2.  

11. Parents can contact the school’s Character and Citizenship Education Department at [email protected] for discussion or to seek clarification about the school’s Sexuality Education programme.