Sexuality Education

1. 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.

2. The goals of Sexuality Education are to:

• 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; and

• 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.

3. 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 ↗ (opens in new tab) for more information on MOE Sexuality Education.

Overview of Nus High School Years 1 - 4 Sexuality Education Programme 

4. 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 ↗ (opens in new tab) or more information on the scope of Sexuality Education in the school curriculum.

5. The subjects that incorporate topics on sexuality include:
a.Science
b.Character and Citizenship Education (CCE)

Sexuality Education Lessons:

6. 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.

7. 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.  

Overview of Nus High School Years 5 & 6 Sexuality Education Programme 

8. 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 ↗ (opens in new tab) for more information on the scope of Sexuality Education in the school curriculum.

9. The focus for Sexuality Education at Pre-University is on respectful relationships. Specifically, the JC/CI package covers Interpersonal Relationships, with themes of Human Development, Sexual Health, Sexual Behaviour, and Culture, Society and Law woven into the main focus on relationships.

At NUS High School, the following lessons from the Years 1- 6 Growing Years Programme will be taught in 2022:

Year 1

| UNIT | LESSONS / DURATION | Lesson Objectives
At the end of the lesson, students will be able to: | 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 | Semester 2 | | Respectful Relationships and Safety | 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 | Semester 2 | | Respectful Relationships and Safety | 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.) | Semester 2 | |

Year 2

| UNIT | LESSONS / DURATION | Lesson Objectives | | |::|:| | 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. | Semester 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. | Semester 1 | | Respectful Relationships and Safety | 2B
(60 mins) | - Recognise the importance of self-respect and respect for others when 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. | Semester 1 | |

Year 3

| UNIT | LESSONS / DURATION | Lesson Objectives
At the end of the lesson, students will be able to: | TIME PERIOD | |::|:| | Respectful Relationships and Safety | 1A
(60 mins) | - Know that self-perception and identity have an impact on our self-esteem and how we interact with others and the choices we make, both online and offline.
- Understand that expectations of oneself and others may differ and can affect one’s emotions, thoughts and behaviours.
- Recognise what healthy dating relationships involve and know that readiness is important when entering into a dating relationship. | Semester 2 | | Respectful Relationships and Safety | 1B
(60 mins) | - Know that relationship-building involves personal emotions and vulnerabilities, and changes and challenges.
- Know that a decision to end a relationship will have consequences on oneself and others.
- Know that grief and loss due to rejections and broken relationships is normal and one can recover from the experience.
- Know there are healthy ways of coping with broken relationships, and family and friends are important pillars of support. | Semester 2 | | Respectful Relationships and Safety | 2
(60 mins) | - Recognise the importance of being informed of social and moral issues of the day and the need to reflect on these issues, and weigh them against our own moral standpoints as we form our perspectives about them.
- Understand that we strengthen our character when we commit to sound values-based viewpoints (e.g. respect for life) and decisions, and speak and act in alignment with our beliefs. | Semester 2 | | eTeens Program for Year 3: | Mass Talk by HPB appointed vendor | Programme Learning Objectives:
- 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
- State the ways of managing the impact | Semester 2 | |

Year 4

| UNIT | LESSONS / DURATION | Lesson Objectives
At the end of the lesson, students will be able to: | TIME PERIOD | |::|:| | Respectful Relationships and Safety | 1
(60 mins) | - Understand that the value of a person is not tied to one’s gender and not conforming to gender stereotypes does not negate one’s gender identity.·
- Understand what gender stereotypes comprise, e.g. notions of masculinity and femininity vary over time and space, and are shaped by societal expectations.
- Know that imposing gender stereotypes on oneself and others can limit one’s experiences, cause harm to the self-esteem of oneself and others and should be avoided. | Semester 2 | | Respectful Relationships and Safety | 2
(60 mins) | - Know there are healthy ways of coping with broken relationships, and family and friends are important pillars of support.
- Recognise emotions caused by traumatic situations, e.g. bullying, abuse and dating violence, and understand the physiological and psychological, social impact on victims.
- Understand that we need moral courage and wisdom to recognise and end relationships that are unhealthy and cause harm to our mental and emotional well-being.
- Understand the importance of ensuring that non-verbal messages match with verbal ones, when communicating personal and emotional boundaries in a relationship. | Semester 2 | | Respectful Relationships and Safety | 3
(60 mins) | - Know that long-term romantic relationships leading to marriage involve understanding oneself and others in the intellectual, emotional, social and moral dimensions.
- Know that marriage entails a union between a man and a woman based on love, trust, commitment, and requires mutual effort.
- Understand that conflicts are normal in any relationship, including marriage, and the way in which a couple handles conflict is critical to the success of their marriage. | Semester 2 | | Respectful Relationships and Safety | 4
(60 mins) | - Understand that we strengthen our character when we commit to sound values-based viewpoints (e.g. respect for life) and decisions, and speak and act in alignment with our beliefs. | Semester 2 | |

Year 5

| UNIT | LESSONS / DURATION | Lesson Objectives
At the end of the lesson, students will be able to: | TIME PERIOD | |::|:| | Developing Healthy Relationships | 1
(60 mins) | - Navigate challenges in a dating relationship
- Identify early indications of a breakdown in a relationship
- Know when to seek help and who to turn to for support
- Appreciate that one can emerge stronger and be better prepared for future relationships
- Develop a deeper understanding of what dating and family violence entails and be reminded of the importance of respect for others | Semester 2 | | Developing Healthy Relationships | 2
(60 mins) | - Examine issues related to abstinence
- Explore the tension between being free to make personal choices regardless of consequences, and being responsible for the consequences of their choices
- Understand that, in the face of conflicting voices and perspectives, they need to focus on integrity, and choose to act in accordance with sound values and moral principles
- Understand that in so doing, one makes responsible decisions for oneself and others, and accepts the consequences of doing so | Semester 2 | | | 3
(60 mins) | - Examine issues related to abortion and the impact of sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
- Understand that one has to make responsible decisions for both self and others
- Understand that sexual abstinence is the only way to remove any risks that come with casual sex
- Know how to support friends or others who may be pregnant or have STIs | Semester 2 | | eTeens Program for Year 5: | Mass Talk by HPB appointed vendor | - Awareness of the different STI and HIV
- Modes of transmission for STI and HIV
- Modes of protection against infection, specifically abstinence and the correct use of condom
- Consequences and impact of STI/HIV
- State the ways of managing the challenges of the impact | Semester 2 | |

Year 6

| UNIT | LESSONS / DURATION | Lesson Objectives
At the end of the lesson, students will be able to: | TIME PERIOD | |::|:| | Lessons about Love (Part 7) | 4
(60 mins) | - identify signs of an unhealthy dating relationship and the early indications of a breakdown of relationship
- appreciate that one can emerge stronger despite having gone through a breakup
- explore beliefs about marriage
- know the possible psychological impact on children experiencing parental separation or divorce
- recognise the importance of having family support for a relationship
- aspire to develop similar enduring character traits and qualities that one would consider in a life partner
- appreciate that marriage is a lifetime commitment and that there will be challenges in marriage as in any other relationships | Semester 2 | | | 6
(60 mins) | - recognise that personal decisions on how one displays own affections in public can affect others
- discern the impact of new media on relationship building | Semester 2 | |