MOE releases guidelines on how external vendors conduct sex education programmes
SINGAPORE: The Ministry of Education (MOE) has released
guidelines which external vendors conducting sexuality education
programmes in schools will have to adhere to.
The vendors are also required to submit their policy statement on sexuality education.
The statement must cover five areas, including homosexuality, abortion and pre-marital sex.
The guidelines were listed on the government's electronic procurement system.
All current providers of such programmes will also have to submit
their applications by October 19. If not, they'll not be allowed to
continue providing such programmes.
The move follows the ministry's decision to tighten its processes
to vet and approve external agencies allowed to provide sexuality
education in schools, in the wake of the AWARE controversy.
Prior to the AWARE saga, schools had the autonomy to hire external vendors for their sexuality education programmes.
But now, they will have to choose from a list that's vetted and approved by the ministry.
There were concerns that AWARE's sexuality education programme had promoted homosexuality.
Interested vendors will also have to demonstrate their track record
and relevant experience in working with children and youths in
sexuality-related areas.
The bid specifications state that the programmes are meant to
augment school resources for sexuality education and not to replace
sexuality educations programmes in schools.
Bidders must also ensure that the teaching of facts is integrated with the teaching of mainstream values.
In addition, MOE wants students to understand and respect the
attitudes, values and beliefs regarding sexuality in the context of
Singapore's multi-religious and multi-racial society.
Once the submission of bids closes later this month, MOE will
undertake a vetting process which is expected to take up to two months.
Successful bidders could start providing their sexuality education
programmes as early as next January.
AWARE has yet to comment on whether it plans to submit an application or if it has already done so.
- 938LIVE