PETALING JAYA: Sex education is not merely about biology but about safeguarding the physical, emotional, and mental well-being of young individuals, says Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye.
Commenting on The Star’s feature story on sex education in schools, the Alliance for a Safe Community chairman said such a curriculum is a necessity in the current fast-evolving society.
Therefore, he said it is a collective responsibility to provide students with a curriculum that is both informative and empowering.
"With the increasing accessibility to the internet and digital platforms, children and teenagers are more exposed to risks such as grooming and paedophilia.
"As such, well-structured, age-appropriate sex education programmes can play a critical role in equipping young minds with the knowledge and tools to protect themselves," he added.
On Dec 19, The Star reported that the Education Ministry will consider a proposal to separate boys and girls during lessons now that the Reproductive and Social Health Education (PEERS) syllabus is being updated.
Lee also proposed the programme should include essential elements such as understanding healthy relationships, awareness of grooming and paedophilia, and body safety and autonomy.
He said conducting a digital safety and cyber awareness campaign would highlight the risks associated with social media and online interactions.
"The campaign will discuss the legal implications of sharing or receiving inappropriate images.
"Children must be educated on the role of a trusted adult within their family, school, and community and also taught about legal protections and reporting mechanisms on how to report abuse and seek help," he said.
On prevention measures against sexual abuse, Lee also suggested teachers and parents be trained to recognise signs of abuse and address sensitive topics effectively.
"Create safer school environments where clear policies on child protection and bullying are established.
"Encourage Peer Support Systems to promote programmes where students look out for each other and feel safe to share concerns.
"Conduct community awareness campaigns to share with the public in addressing grooming and paedophilia through outreach and education," Lee said.
