'Comprehensive sex education' coming soon to schools, govt tells Supreme Court

NEW DELHI: The long-standing taboo around sex education is finally set to end in India, with the subject poised to become a formal part of school curriculum.The government on Monday told the Supreme Court it is agreeable to introduce "comprehensive sex education" in schools/colleges as recommended by a committee and it would be implemented once approval is received from the court.Appearing before a bench of Justices B V Nagarathna and R Mahadevan, additional solicitor general Aishwarya Bhati said government has accepted the report, which will be implemented across the country.The report has been filed in compliance with the apex court's order to explore ways to prevent an increasing number of cases of minor pregnancy and adolescent love from being criminalised under the Pocso Act.Panel members suggest ‘child sexual abuse’ be made part of core syllabusCentral government had appointed a 26-member national expert committee headed by additional secretary, women and child development ministry, to examine issues concerning right to privacy of adolescents engaged in consensual sexual relationships, with particular reference to Pocso Act.The panel members — including experts from TISS, clinical psychologists, representative from various central ministries, state governments, NCPCR, NLSA — suggested subjects on “comprehensive sex education” and “child sexual abuse” be made part of core syllabus in schools. The panel said basic concepts of safety, body parts and hygiene; and concepts such as safe-unsafe touch may be introduced from the foundational stage. The committee has recommended NCERT develop the curriculum.The report said adolescent education should be implemented in schools and colleges in alignment with NEP- 2020. “Current adolescent education programmes, which integrate safety and security concerns with awareness on age-appropriate aspects of comprehensive sex education, may be reviewed and supplemented, as deemed fit so, as to fulfil NEP’s core principles of holistic development, critical thinking and building life skills,” it said.Appreciating the trailblazing report, senior advocates Madhavi Divan and Liz Mathew, who are assisting SC as amicus curiae, said there was need to enumerate “comprehensive sex education”. SC agreed to examine the issue and pass an appropriate order.The report suggested: “From primary school level onwards, a dedicated expert teacher should be assigned, and classes on these topics should be held mandatorily for at least 15-20 minutes, twice a week. Special meetings should be held for parents, guardians, and teachers to inform them about the developmental milestones of children and the importance of sex education.”Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.