Drawing the line on sex education

THE EDITOR: It is so interesting to hear comments from the public at large regarding sex education, the distribution of condoms etc. I think we all agree that education is one of the key factors here, I would also like to add ‘responsibility’ — Responsibility of the parents.

My concern regarding the “Hodder” science book, which I have seen, is where do we draw the line at sex education, and at what age? Do we want to educate the children, because they still are children, on the “pleasures” of sex at eleven, or do we want to educate them in a clinical and biological manner; together with the responsibilities involved, ie diseases and pregnancy, and the moral values that must be maintained when dealing with sex-education?

The sad thing is that the “Hodder” science book may be a good science book, but do we want to compromise our values or complement them? As long as I am a member of a PTA board and a parent of a teenager and pre-teen, I will oppose the introduction of this book to the schools, and I urge all principals, teachers (and parents) to follow the principles and objectives that you have set for yourselves and for your students and refuse to allow this book into your schools. There must be an alternative that is suitable to what we want for our children of Trinidad and Tobago, and not because it is being used in Hong Kong and England.

A PANTIN-DANIEL
A very concerned parent
Diego Martin