Thiruvananthapuram, Feb. 13: A new sex education module to ‘enlighten’ Class IX and Intermediate students of Kerala has evoked strong protests from teachers and students’ organisations who allege that it borders on the pornographic. As per the curriculum handbook prepared by the State Council of Educational Research and Training, teachers have to freely discuss various aspects of teenage sexuality with students and also give them tips on safe sex.
For instance, a teacher is supposed to ask a Class IX student when he had his first erection and what he felt at that time. The teacher should also probe what the teenager felt towards girls after becoming aware of his erections. Another "activity" involves teaching students about the "competent and consistent" use of condoms. The handbook suggests in so many words that sex is alright as long as it is safe. The handbook contains detailed instructions on what teachers should tell students about masturbation, homosexuality, wet dreams, lesbianism and the like.
"It treats sex as a totally biological affair and does not dwell on its cultural, moral and psychological dimensions," said Shajar Khan, secretary of the All India Democratic Students Organisation, which has come out strongly against the programme. "This is dangerous." According to Khan, such an approach would cause much confusion in impressionable teenage minds and create psychological problems. "Some of the suggestions go totally against our cultural tenets and does not take note of the delicacies of the teacher-student relationship," said Khan. "The handbook has a narrow practical focus towards sex and does not talk about the sanctity of relationships. It will only create an anything goes attitude."
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