Sexuality Education

Sexuality Education (SEd) in schools is about enabling students to understand the physiological, social and emotional changes they experience as they mature, develop healthy and rewarding relationships including those with members of the opposite sex, and make wise, informed and responsible decisions on sexuality matters. SEd is premised on the importance of the family as the basic unit of society. This means encouraging healthy, heterosexual marriages and stable nuclear family units with extended family support. The teaching and learning of SEd is based on respect for the values and beliefs of the different ethnic and religious communities in Singapore on sexuality issues.

The goals of Sexuality Education are to:
(i) To help students make wise, responsible and informed decisions through the provision of accurate, current and age-appropriate knowledge on human sexuality and the consequences of sexual activity;

(ii) To help students know themselves and build healthy and rewarding relationships through the acquisition of social and emotional skills of self-awareness, management of their thoughts, feelings and behaviours, development of empathy for others, possession of effective communication, problem-solving and decision-making skills; and

(iii) To help students develop a moral compass, respect for themselves and for others as sexual beings, premised on the family as the basic unit of society, through the inculcation of positive mainstream values and attitudes about sexuality.

The key messages of Sexuality Education are:

(i) Love and respect yourself as you love and respect others;

(ii) Build positive relationships based on love and respect (which are the foundation for strong families);

(iii) Make responsible decisions for yourself, your family and society; and

(iv) Abstinence before marriage is the best protection against STIs/HIV and unintended pregnancies. Casual sex can harm and hurt you and your loved ones.

You may click here for more information on MOE Sexuality Education.

OVERVIEW OF COMMONWEALTH SECONDARY SCHOOL'S SEXUALITY EDUCATION

Sexuality Education is delivered in a holistic manner through the school curriculum. The content for Sexuality Education is grouped into five main themes: Human Development, Interpersonal Relationships, Sexual Health, Sexual Behaviour, and, Culture, Society and Law. You may click here for more information on the scope of Sexuality Education in the school curriculum.

The subjects that incorporate topics on sexuality include:

a. Science

b. Civics and Moral Education / Character and Citizenship Education

Sexuality Education Lessons

The values and attitudes of our youth towards sexuality are increasingly shaped by their peers, exposure to the media, popular culture and the internet. Adolescence is a complex stage in life as the adolescent attempts to find his/her own identity and often struggles with new social relationships. The period of middle adolescence (generally from 15 – 17 years old) can be a turbulent period for adolescents. The gap between physical and emotional/cognitive maturity may result in a tendency to act on impulse, experiment with various activities (including sexual activities), sometimes without understanding the unpleasant consequences that may arise from such experimentation. The need for peer acceptance can be overwhelmingly strong, and hinder one’s ability to act responsibly. Given the pressures faced by the middle adolescent from within themselves and from peers, it is important to build a sdivong sense of self-worth, personal conviction and an understanding of the possible consequences of sexual behaviour.

Through “The Teenage Years” and “Sense & Sexuality” packages, secondary students will have the opportunity to develop a positive self-esteem, develop their character, and expand their understanding and repertoire of skills to deal with various issues related to sexuality, which are of prime concern at this age.

At Commonwealth Secondary School, the following lessons from the Sexuality Education Programme will be taught in 2021:

Secondary 1

CCE 2021 Theme: Making Choices

UNIT	LESSONS / DURATION	Lesson Objectives At the end of the lesson, students will be able to:	TIME PERIOD (e.g. Term 1 Week 2)
Respectful Relationships & Safety	1 (60 mins)	Recognise the importance of monitoring and managing our emotional reactions, in helpful ways that are reflective of our values and principles Recognise that there are different forms of love (e.g. familial, platonic, romantic love) Recognise the importance and understand what builds healthy and supportive relationships, both online and offline Understand what dating is, and recognise that the readiness and interest in dating vary among individuals	Term 2 Week 1
2 (60 mins)	Understand that physical and psychological abuse from others, especially those we know and trust, can have strong negative effects on a person’s self-concept	Term 2 Week 2
3 (60 mins)	Understand and accept that as we work towards becoming our best self, there will be times when we make mistakes, and recognise the importance of exercising moral courage in facing up to consequences Recognise that there are moral and legal consequences of risky sexual behaviours, pornography access and acting irresponsibly or maliciously when online (e.g. spreading of online falsehoods, flouting copyright laws, etc.)	Term 2 Week 3

UNIT

LESSONS / DURATION

Lesson Objectives

At the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

TIME PERIOD

(e.g. Term 1 Week 2)

Respectful Relationships & Safety

(60 mins)

Recognise the importance of monitoring and managing our emotional reactions, in helpful ways that are reflective of our values and principles

Recognise that there are different forms of love (e.g. familial, platonic, romantic love)

Recognise the importance and understand what builds healthy and supportive relationships, both online and offline

Understand what dating is, and recognise that the readiness and interest in dating vary among individuals

Term 2 Week 1

(60 mins)

Understand that physical and psychological abuse from others, especially those we know and trust, can have strong negative effects on a person’s self-concept

Term 2 Week 2

(60 mins)

Understand and accept that as we work towards becoming our best self, there will be times when we make mistakes, and recognise the importance of exercising moral courage in facing up to consequences

Recognise that there are moral and legal consequences of risky sexual behaviours, pornography access and acting irresponsibly or maliciously when online (e.g. spreading of online falsehoods, flouting copyright laws, etc.)

Term 2 Week 3

Secondary 2

CCE 2021 Theme: Making Choices

UNIT	LESSONS / DURATION	Lesson Objectives At the end of the lesson, students will be able to:	TIME PERIOD (e.g. Term 1 Week 2)
Respectful Relationships & Safety	1 (60 mins)	Know that one’s understanding of gender roles should not be limited by gender stereotypes Develop an appreciation of one’s own unique qualities and characteristics as a male or female Understand what sexual orientation entails	Term 2 Week 6
	2A (60 mins)	Recognise one’s vulnerability to risky situations and the importance of exercising discretion to reduce risks and avoid negative consequences, both online and offline	Term 2 Week 7
	2B (60 mins)	Recognise the importance of self-respect and respect for others in relating to members of the opposite gender Recognise one’s vulnerability to risky situations and the importance of exercising discretion to reduce risks and avoid negative consequences, both offline and online	Term 2 Week 8

Secondary 3

Sense and Sexuality (2nd Edition)

UNIT	LESSONS / DURATION	Lesson Objectives At the end of the lesson, students will be able to:	TIME PERIOD (e.g. Term 1 Week 2)
Lessons about Love (Part 3)	1 (60 mins)	recognise what constitutes responsible dating evaluate if a dating relationship is healthy or unhealthy demonstrate competencies in managing emotions in dating and romantic relationships	Term 3 Week 1
2 (60 mins)	recognise differences in perspectives of dating and romantic relationships evaluate one’s readiness for romantic relationships recognise challenges that occur in the context of a relationship examine how our response to emotions can affect relationships positively or negatively	Term 3 Week 2
3 (60 mins)	recognise the different levels of physical intimacy in a relationship know the progressive nature of actions that lead to sexual arousal and intercourse recognise that one may unintentionally invite sexual intimacy through one’s verbal and non-verbal behaviour	Term 3 Week 2
4 (60 mins)	evaluate the norms of acceptability for public display of affection recognise how new media has shaped public perception of acceptability of public display of affection identify the strengths and limitations of new media in allowing people to develop serious relationships recognise how new media has influenced relationship building both positively and negatively appreciate the value of face-to-face relationships	Term 3 Week 5
The Real Self (Part 2)	5 – Part 1 (30 mins)	recognise the importance of having healthy self-esteem that is not affected by external influences demonstrate strategies to identify and evaluate sources that contribute towards healthy self-esteem recognise the importance of self-esteem in building friendships Identity and healthy relationships	Term 3 Week 5
	5 – Part 2 (30 mins)	Description of the Main Task: Students are to work in groups of 4 or 5. Each group will present the positive and negative messages about self-image received from a chosen source (peers, teachers, families or the media) and share tips on managing the negative messages. Groups can represent their learning through a blog, a poster presentation, an article for a teenage magazine, a role-play, a letter of response from Aunt Agony, a pamphlet or other preferred modes. At the end of all the presentations, students are to assess and reflect upon their own learning using a reflection form.	Term 3 Week 5

UNIT

LESSONS / DURATION

Lesson Objectives

At the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

TIME PERIOD

(e.g. Term 1 Week 2)

Lessons

about

Love

(Part 3)

(60 mins)

recognise what constitutes responsible dating

evaluate if a dating relationship is healthy or unhealthy

demonstrate competencies in managing emotions in dating and romantic relationships

Term 3 Week 1

(60 mins)

recognise differences in perspectives of dating and romantic relationships

evaluate one’s readiness for romantic relationships

recognise challenges that occur in the context of a relationship

examine how our response to emotions can affect relationships positively or negatively

Term 3 Week 2

(60 mins)

recognise the different levels of physical intimacy in a relationship

know the progressive nature of actions that lead to sexual arousal and intercourse

recognise that one may unintentionally invite sexual intimacy through one’s verbal and non-verbal behaviour

Term 3 Week 2

(60 mins)

evaluate the norms of acceptability for public display of affection

recognise how new media has shaped public perception of acceptability of public display of affection

identify the strengths and limitations of new media in allowing people to develop serious relationships

recognise how new media has influenced relationship building both positively and negatively

appreciate the value of face-to-face relationships

Term 3 Week 5

The Real

Self

(Part 2)

5 – Part 1

(30 mins)

recognise the importance of having healthy self-esteem that is not affected by external influences

demonstrate strategies to identify and evaluate sources that contribute towards healthy self-esteem

recognise the importance of self-esteem in building friendships Identity and healthy relationships

Term 3 Week 5

5 – Part 2

(30 mins)

Description of the Main Task:

Students are to work in groups of 4 or 5.

Each group will present the positive and negative messages about self-image received from a chosen source (peers, teachers, families or the media) and share tips on managing the negative messages.

Groups can represent their learning through a blog, a poster presentation, an article for a teenage magazine, a role-play, a letter of response from Aunt Agony, a pamphlet or other preferred modes.

At the end of all the presentations, students are to assess and reflect upon their own learning using a reflection form.

Term 3 Week 5

Secondary 4

Sense and Sexuality (2nd Edition)

UNIT	LESSONS / DURATION	Lesson Objectives At the end of the lesson, students will be able to:	TIME PERIOD (e.g. Term 1 Week 2)
Lessons about Love (Part 4a)	6 (60 mins)	explain the process of grief and loss that people experience when a relationship breaks down exercise sensitivity and empathy when communicating break- ups recognise that one can emerge stronger after a break-up	Term 2 Week 1
“Familiar” Strangers Alert (Part 2)	7 (60 mins)	know what is considered pornographic material on the Internet under the Internet code of practice reflect on the legal consequences of sexual behaviour and include these considerations in their decision-making pertaining to pornography	Term 2 Week 2
At the Crossroads (Part 2)	8 (30 mins)	distinguish between biologically-based and socially-conditioned gender characteristics evaluate views towards self and others, with regard to gender differences and stereotypes	Term 2 Week 2
Lessons about Love (Part 4b)	9 (60 mins)	recognise that commitment is a necessary ingredient for success in a marriage identify responsibilities involved and the challenges faced in marriages	Term 2 Week 3
NA	10 (60 mins)	Description of the Main Task: This main task will capture the culmination of learning in Secondary 4 level. Students are to work on the main task in groups of 4 or 5. Each group is to take on a topic of interest from the following: rejections and broken relationships, pornography, gender identity or marriage, cohabitation and divorce. Groups can share their learning for the chosen topic in the form of a debate, a mini-teach, the depiction and discussion of case scenarios, a discussion of consequences that follows after the viewing of a video or a live-chat, or any preferred mode. At the end of all the presentations, students are to assess and reflect upon their own learning using a reflection form. Teacher to round up by summarizing key learning outcomes for each topic, emphasizing on the key values and attitudes	Term 2 Week 3

UNIT

LESSONS / DURATION

Lesson Objectives

At the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

TIME PERIOD

(e.g. Term 1 Week 2)

Lessons

about

Love

(Part 4a)

(60 mins)

explain the process of grief and loss that people experience when a relationship breaks down

exercise sensitivity and empathy when communicating break- ups

recognise that one can emerge stronger after a break-up

Term 2 Week 1

“Familiar”

Strangers

Alert

(Part 2)

(60 mins)

know what is considered pornographic material on the Internet under the Internet code of practice

reflect on the legal consequences of sexual behaviour and include these considerations in their decision-making pertaining to pornography

Term 2 Week 2

At the

Crossroads

(Part 2)

(30 mins)

distinguish between biologically-based and socially-conditioned gender characteristics

evaluate views towards self and others, with regard to gender differences and stereotypes

Term 2 Week 2

Lessons

about

Love

(Part 4b)

(60 mins)

recognise that commitment is a necessary ingredient for success in a marriage

identify responsibilities involved and the challenges faced in marriages

Term 2 Week 3

(60 mins)

Description of the Main Task:

This main task will capture the culmination of learning in Secondary 4 level.

Students are to work on the main task in groups of 4 or 5.

Each group is to take on a topic of interest from the following: rejections and broken relationships, pornography, gender identity or marriage, cohabitation and divorce.

Groups can share their learning for the chosen topic in the form of a debate, a mini-teach, the depiction and discussion of case scenarios, a discussion of consequences that follows after the viewing of a video or a live-chat, or any preferred mode.

At the end of all the presentations, students are to assess and reflect upon their own learning using a reflection form.

Teacher to round up by summarizing key learning outcomes for each topic, emphasizing on the key values and attitudes

Term 2 Week 3

Secondary 5

Sense and Sexuality (2nd Edition)

UNIT	LESSONS / DURATION	Lesson Objectives At the end of the lesson, students will be able to:	TIME PERIOD (e.g. Term 1 Week 2)
Lessons about Love (Part 5)	1 (60 mins)	reflect on the qualities of a healthy romantic relationship evaluate one’s readiness for a romantic relationship, leading to marriage recognise that intimacy in a relationship need not be limited to physical intimacy recognise that break ups can allow one to understand oneself better	Term 1 Week 9
NA	2 (60 mins)	Description of the Main Task: Teacher can conduct a dialogue session with the class and engage in a discussion on the following: My ideal life partner My future (How do they envision their future to be like – in terms of their career, family etc.) Potential obstacles (What are the potential incidents that may prevent them from reaching their life goals? – distraction from studies, break ups, teenage pregnancy etc.) My pillars of support (identify the pillars of support they can have to guide them to the desired future) The purpose of this dialogue session is to surface some of the values that students may have with regard to relationships. Where appropriate, teachers could provide relevant feedback to guide students. Teachers can make use of different methods to check students’ understanding, either by asking them to sketch or jot down a few points on a personal whiteboard or post-its. After the dialogue session, students are to assess and reflect upon their own learning using a reflection form.	Term 1 Week 10

UNIT

LESSONS / DURATION

Lesson Objectives

At the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

TIME PERIOD

(e.g. Term 1 Week 2)

Lessons

about

Love

(Part 5)

(60 mins)

reflect on the qualities of a healthy romantic relationship

evaluate one’s readiness for a romantic relationship, leading to marriage

recognise that intimacy in a relationship need not be limited to physical intimacy

recognise that break ups can allow one to understand oneself better

Term 1 Week 9

(60 mins)

Description of the Main Task:

Teacher can conduct a dialogue session with the class and engage in a discussion on the following:

My ideal life partner

My future (How do they envision their future to be like – in terms of their career, family etc.)

Potential obstacles (What are the potential incidents that may prevent them from reaching their life goals? – distraction from studies, break ups, teenage pregnancy etc.)

My pillars of support (identify the pillars of support they can have to guide them to the desired future)

The purpose of this dialogue session is to surface some of the values that students may have with regard to relationships. Where appropriate, teachers could provide relevant feedback to guide students.

Teachers can make use of different methods to check students’ understanding, either by asking them to sketch or jot down a few points on a personal whiteboard or post-its.

After the dialogue session, students are to assess and reflect upon their own learning using a reflection form.

Term 1 Week 10

eTeens Programme

eTeens is a programme developed by Health Promotion Board, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, for Secondary 3 students to provide them with accurate information on STIs, HIV and protection from a health perspective. eTeens is conducted in two segments – a mass talk segment and a classroom-based programme.

Students are taught skills such as decision-making, assertiveness and negotiation to say “no” to sex and negative peer pressure. They also learn that the impact of STIs/HIV extends beyond themselves and involves their family. Abstinence and upholding family values are the key messages. The desired outcome of the eTeens programme is that students are empowered to make wise, informed and sensible decisions.

At Commonwealth Secondary School, the eTeens programme will be implemented as follows in 2021:

Topics/Lessons	Programme Learning Objectives	Time Period (e.g. Term 3 Week 9)
Mass Talk by HPB appointed vendor	Awareness of the different STIs and HIV/AIDS Modes of transmission Modes of protection, specifically on how the condom is used Consequences and impact of STIs/HIV	Term 3 Week 8
Classroom-based Lesson	Learn to negotiate their way out of a risky situation by applying skills of assertiveness and responsible decision-making	Term 3 Week 9

Topics/Lessons

Programme Learning Objectives

Time Period

(e.g. Term 3 Week 9)

Mass Talk by HPB appointed vendor

Awareness of the different STIs and HIV/AIDS

Modes of transmission

Modes of protection, specifically on how the condom is used

Consequences and impact of STIs/HIV

Term 3 Week 8

Classroom-based Lesson

Learn to negotiate their way out of a risky situation by applying skills of assertiveness and responsible decision-making

Term 3 Week 9

INFORMATION FOR PARENTS

Parents may opt their children out of the Sexuality Education lessons, eTeens and/or supplementary sexuality education programmes by MOE-approved external providers.

Parents who wish to opt their children out of the Sexuality Education lessons need to complete an opt-out form. This form will be distributed to parents through the Parents Gateway.

Parents who wish to opt their children out of the eTeens programme need to complete an opt-out form. This form will be distributed to parents through the Parents Gateway.

Parents can contact the school at 6560 6866 for discussion or to seek clarification about the school’s sexuality education programme.

Parents, who wish to attend the school sexuality education programmes, should contact the school to make the necessary arrangements.

ETEENS

AIMS OF ETEENS
The Empowered Teens (eTeens) programme aims to provide students with accurate information to help them make good decisions in their life choices. It raises awareness and knowledge about the following:

a) awareness of the different sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV/AIDS;

b) modes of transmission for STIs and HIV/AIDS;

c) modes of protection against infection, specifically abstinence and the correct use of condoms;

d) skills for decision-making, assertiveness, negotiation to say “no” to peer pressure to have pre-marital sex; and

e) consequences and impact of STIs/HIV.

FORMAT OF PROGRAMME

The eTeens programme comprises an assembly talk and a classroom-based lesson:

a) The mass talk is conducted by a speaker engaged by the Health Promotion Board (HPB) from an approved panel. The presentation follows an approved guide.

b) The duration of the assembly talk is about 1 hour. It includes a multi- media presentation, video screening as well as presentation of key learning points. The video depicts how two teenagers at a birthday party weigh different considerations when resisting peer pressure, and eventually make responsible decisions.

c) The classroom-based lesson reinforces skills of responsible decision-making, negotiation and assertiveness, based on the values which students have been brought up with, in the family and the community. The suggested time for the lesson is about one hour.

d) Training for teachers to conduct the classroom-based programme is provided for by MOE and HPB.

	CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
	CHARACTER AND CITIZENSHIP EDUCATION PROGRAMME
	SEXUALITY EDUCATION
	VALUES IN ACTION