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 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
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
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:

Love and respect yourself as you love and respect others
Build positive relationships based on love and respect (which are the foundation for strong families)
Make responsible decisions for yourself, your family and society
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.

RGS’ Sexuality Education Programme for 2021

Sexuality Education is delivered in a holistic manner through the school curriculum. The content for Sexuality Education is grouped into give 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:

Science
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 strong sense of self-worth, personal conviction and an understanding of the possible consequences of sexual behaviour.

Through the Sexuality Education lessons, 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 RGS, the following lessons from the Sexuality Education Programme will be taught in 2021:

Year 1 CCE 2021 Theme: Making Choices

Unit	Lesson(s)/Duration	Lesson Objectives	Time Period
Respectful Relationships and 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 8
	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 9
	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 3 Week 1

Year 2 CCE 2021 Theme: Making Choices

Unit	Lesson(s)/Duration	Lesson Objectives	Time Period
Respectful Relationships and 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 3 Week 1
	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 3 Week 2
	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 1 Week 3

Year 3 Sense and Sexuality (2nd Edition)

Unit	Lesson(s)/Duration	Lesson Objectives	Time Period
Lessons About Love (Part 3)	1 (60 mins)	Dating and Romantic Relationships: Are You Ready? 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 5
	1 (60 mins)	Rejection and Broken Relationships 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 effect relationships positively or negatively	Term 3 Week 6
	1 (60 mins)	Assertiveness, Negotiation and Responsible Decision-Making 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 9

Year 4 Sense and Sexuality (2nd Edition)

Unit

Lesson(s)/Duration

Lesson Objectives

Time Period

Lessons About Love

1 (60 mins)

Marriage and Family Relationship Conference

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 commitment is a necessary ingredient for success in a marriage
Identify responsibilities involved and the challenges faced in marriages

Term 2 Week 10

At the Crossroads

1 (60 mins)

Gender Role and Identity

Know/Define what gender role is
Distinguish between biological based socially-conditioned gender characteristics
Evaluate views towards self and others, with regard to gender differences and stereotypes
Appreciate the importance of respect for individual based on intrinsic worth and value, regardless of gender identity

Term 3 Week 6

eTeens Programme

eTeens is a programme developed by Health Promotion Board, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education for Year 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 RGS, the eTeens programme will be implemented as follow in 2021:

Topics/Lessons	Programme Learning Objectives	Time Period
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 3
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 5

Information for Parents

Parents may opt their children out of Growing Years, 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 sent to parents via the Parents Gateway at the start of the year. The completed form is to be submitted by 5 March 2021 (all levels).
Parents who wish to opt their children out of the eTeens programme need to complete an opt-out form. This form will be sent to parents via the Parents Gateway at the start of the year. Parents are to respond by 5 March 2021 (Year 3 and Year 4 only).
Parents can contact the school at rgss@moe.edu.sg or call 6737 1846 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.

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