Xavier’s Initiates Sex Education for Class 8 and 9
Approached by parents to guide their wards on sex, St Xavier’s Loyola becomes first state board school to educate students on the changes taking place in their body
Yogesh Avasthi
Posted On Wednesday, December 14, 2011 (http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/article/2/2011121420111214024918686fe83983f/Xavier%E2%80%99s-Initiates-Sex-Education-for-Class-8-and-9-.html)
When most Gujarat board schools shun sex education, a reputed city school has taken its first step towards breaking this taboo. St Xavier’s, Loyola Hall, has begun imparting ‘Sex Education’ to students of class 8 and 9.
Concerned about their wards asking them questions they were uncomfortable with or had no answers to, the parents first approached the school to find a solution. The principal had a discussion with the teachers and decided to teach sexuality and adolescent education. Since the teachers had their own limitations in conveying the subject correctly, the services of an expert were sought. However, finding one was a gargantuan task.
Thankfully, for them, they found a doctor among the parents who volunteered to simplify the subject for the students. Dr Hemant Mankad first made a powerpoint presentation about the subject, Sex Education — The Myths and Facts, to Father Fernand Durai, principal of the school. Only after he and the teachers were convinced of the subject was it decided to impart it to the students.
For the past two years, the school has been trying to impart Sex Education in the school, but lack of a proper teacher had forced it to shelve the plan.
However, last Saturday the first class of an hour was held for the first batch of 50 students each from class 8 and 9. There are a total of 200 students each in class 8 and 9.
The entire purpose, according to the principal, is to educate students on sex in a proper manner, which otherwise they would seek from other sources that might be harmful to them.
Father Durai said, “We’ve accepted it as a part of our curriculum and we will constantly update it to make it accessible and understandable to the student. Those questions which parents are not able to provide to their children or the teachers fail to convey, we are providing through an expert.”
The response from parents has been positive, the principal said, adding that other schools should take a cue from them and take a step in this direction. “We get experts on different subjects to teach the students, but when it comes to sex education, we tend to avoid it. This will only create confusion in the minds of the children and they will seek incorrect information that is harmful to them,” he said.
When he first started the lecture, Dr Mankad said, the students were giggling and nudging each other. But once he started explaining to them scientifically about the subject, they got interested and started asking questions that were bothering them. There were a range of questions: I am attracted to someone, what is the reason for it? What is a condom? What is AIDS? Do we transmit AIDS if we kiss or embrace someone? What is an eunuch? Who is called a gay or lesbian? What is a wet dream ?
Talking about the subject, Dr Mankad told Mirror, “There is an information overload, which is confusing to a student. A scientific explanation of sex is lacking. Parents fail to explain the hormonal changes that take place in a child, while teachers try to laugh it off or give examples that are totally irrelevant. At this juncture, it is imperative to impart the correct information on the subject.”
Yogesh Avasthi
Posted On Wednesday, December 14, 2011 (http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/article/2/2011121420111214024918686fe83983f/Xavier%E2%80%99s-Initiates-Sex-Education-for-Class-8-and-9-.html)
When most Gujarat board schools shun sex education, a reputed city school has taken its first step towards breaking this taboo. St Xavier’s, Loyola Hall, has begun imparting ‘Sex Education’ to students of class 8 and 9.
Concerned about their wards asking them questions they were uncomfortable with or had no answers to, the parents first approached the school to find a solution. The principal had a discussion with the teachers and decided to teach sexuality and adolescent education. Since the teachers had their own limitations in conveying the subject correctly, the services of an expert were sought. However, finding one was a gargantuan task.
Thankfully, for them, they found a doctor among the parents who volunteered to simplify the subject for the students. Dr Hemant Mankad first made a powerpoint presentation about the subject, Sex Education — The Myths and Facts, to Father Fernand Durai, principal of the school. Only after he and the teachers were convinced of the subject was it decided to impart it to the students.
For the past two years, the school has been trying to impart Sex Education in the school, but lack of a proper teacher had forced it to shelve the plan.
However, last Saturday the first class of an hour was held for the first batch of 50 students each from class 8 and 9. There are a total of 200 students each in class 8 and 9.
The entire purpose, according to the principal, is to educate students on sex in a proper manner, which otherwise they would seek from other sources that might be harmful to them.
Father Durai said, “We’ve accepted it as a part of our curriculum and we will constantly update it to make it accessible and understandable to the student. Those questions which parents are not able to provide to their children or the teachers fail to convey, we are providing through an expert.”
The response from parents has been positive, the principal said, adding that other schools should take a cue from them and take a step in this direction. “We get experts on different subjects to teach the students, but when it comes to sex education, we tend to avoid it. This will only create confusion in the minds of the children and they will seek incorrect information that is harmful to them,” he said.
When he first started the lecture, Dr Mankad said, the students were giggling and nudging each other. But once he started explaining to them scientifically about the subject, they got interested and started asking questions that were bothering them. There were a range of questions: I am attracted to someone, what is the reason for it? What is a condom? What is AIDS? Do we transmit AIDS if we kiss or embrace someone? What is an eunuch? Who is called a gay or lesbian? What is a wet dream ?
Talking about the subject, Dr Mankad told Mirror, “There is an information overload, which is confusing to a student. A scientific explanation of sex is lacking. Parents fail to explain the hormonal changes that take place in a child, while teachers try to laugh it off or give examples that are totally irrelevant. At this juncture, it is imperative to impart the correct information on the subject.”
