THE sexuality education programme has been effective in raising student understanding on sexuality matters, including the negative consequences of teenage sexual activity, said Minister for Education Dr Ng Eng Hen in Parliament on Monday.
Responding to a question by Nominated MP Terry Lee, Dr Ng said that the Ministry of Education regularly reviews the effectiveness of sexuality education in schools and takes steps to improve the content and delivery of the programme.
In his written response, Dr Ng said cases of sexually transmitted diseases including HIV among teenagers has declined over the last three years, as did the number of teenage abortions and teenage live births.
Teenage pregnancy rates fell by 4 per cent in 2008, and by 11 per cent in 2009, from 2,196 in 2007.
Besides regularly collecting student feedback on the sexuality education programme, the Ministry also consults a steering committee made up of medical professionals, educators, family life educators and counsellors in reviewing curriculum to ensure the sexuality education programme remains relevant to students today, said Dr Ng.
-- ST