The UNICEF-supported Adolescence Education Programme appears to bring a western sexual outlook instead of creating awareness on HIV/AIDS prevention.
Parents know best how and when to introduce their child to the concept of sex, argues reader Noumaan Qureshi
Every communication effort has a desired outcome/response. Teaching a subject in schools is result-oriented. There is a debate raging between parents and religious authorities on one side, and the government over the introduction of an Adolescence Education Programme in schools after Class VI. As a concerned parent, I wish to tell the education authorities, ‘Don’t rob our children of their innocence’.
The UNICEF-supported Adolescence Education Programme appears to bring a western sexual outlook instead of creating awareness on HIV/AIDS prevention. The prescribed syllabus for students contains the definition of 'oral sex', without notifying that it is an offence in India. On reading the suggested content, one wonders whether it aims to increase awareness of HIV/AIDS or prevention of pregnancy. It also does not mention that homosexuality too, is an offence.
Education has to take the cultural context of society into consideration. As for sex education in India, it has been imparted for centuries by mothers to their daughters. For boys, family seniors have been the counsel. Each family understood the temperament of the child and such sensitive topics like sex were discussed on an individual basis. The education and the media vehicles used in the western world might not be appropriate for the Indian environment.
Marketers and MNCs operating in India have understood the cultural nuances well. India is country where Kellogg's, known for breakfast cereals, sells biscuits while McDonald's provides home delivery services. These are a few examples of how marketers operate differently in different markets to maximise profits.
Why can't we employ this principle when educating our children on a sensitive issue like sex? Shouldn't we consider our cultural context and the teacher-student relationship in our country before taking a decision? Wouldn't it be better if sex education is imparted on an individual basis by family seniors rather than doing a mass scale teaching session in a class? How many teachers will be comfortable discussing sex in the class?
Let our children learn that life is beautiful. Let them enjoy the bliss of childhood, the care and protection of the family and their seniors. School plays a key role in a child's development and if the institution is going to provide lessons in erotica, it is a cause for concern.
(Qureshi is a communication consultant)
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