Should Sex Education be taught in schools?

In October 2010, Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister, Muhyiddin Yassin stated that the government was considering to implement sex education as many sex related social problems among teenagers occurred. The question that arises in many Malaysians is that, should sex education be taught in schools? From my point of view, I strongly believe that sex education should be taught in schools because it focuses on family values and the best solution for the increasing of social problems among teenagers. Nevertheless, I have to disagree with teachers that opposing this action.

According to Noor Zainal (2000), “Sex education touches on health care of the reproductive organs, gives counselling on the sexual understanding, abnormal behaviours and diseases they may be exposed related to sex”. I agree with him because sex education is not teaching the pupils how to do sex like many Malaysians assumed but actually focusing on family values and protecting oneself, against free sex. It also allows the pupils to make wise decisions when they become young adults later. As they are educated since young age, they will be more matured in making decisions regarding sex such as preventing free sex and getting sexually transmitted diseases. Therefore, I believe that sex education should be taught in schools because its benefits to the pupils.

Besides that, Hazlizat (2010) claims that sex education might be the best solution in solving sex related social problems since majority of teenagers today are not aware of what sexual health means. I too have the same opinion because teenagers should be informed at an early age, so that they have deep understanding on the issue. Teaching sex education in the primary level is a great step taken to prevent them from involving in sex related social problems such as preventing unintended pregnancies and baby dumping.  Children are innocent and full of curiosity. Often parents feel awkward when their children ask questions on sex and leave them with unanswered. This makes the children eager to try sex since they are unclear about it.  Therefore, I believe that sex education should be taught in schools so that the children are clear on matter related to sex.

However, teachers in Malaysia were reported opposing teaching sex education in schools. Lok Yim Pheng, secretary-general of the National Union of Teaching Profession (NUTP) in 2010, said that they lack of professional training in teaching the subject. I disagree with her because teachers who are teaching this subject are teachers who had undergone training. On November 14, 2010, the ministry stated that they had enough competent teachers to teach the subject. The ministry would not randomly pick teachers to teach this subject. Instead, they will pick teachers who have undergone special training. The trained teachers are trained on what should they teach during the 40 minutes period and how to handle questions arise from the pupils. Thus, the teachers should not oppose this subject from being taught in the schools as there are enough competent teachers to teach the subject.

As a conclusion, I strongly believe that sex education should be taught in schools because it focuses on family values which are needed by the teenagers and it is also the best solution for the sex related social problems among teenagers. Furthermore, no one should oppose this implementation as it really helps the pupils. Therefore, I agree that sex education should be taught in schools.