Remove veil of secrecy

THE EDITOR: Several studies on the impact of a variety of sex education programmes have concluded that they have two notable effects. First, they delay the onset of sexual activity. Second, they enhance the use of reliable contraceptive devices. It is therefore disappointing to read the concerns expressed by the Minister of Education, that run so diametrically counter to this well-established knowledge. My understanding is that information was passed out freely and that condoms were included in pamphlets which examined the male condom. We keep missing the point. The need is to remove the veil of secrecy. We first had a curriculum for sex education in 1973. That was 30 years ago, long before the onset of HIV/AIDS. The world is a different place today. Today, ignorance about sex leaves teenagers, especially girls at risk of death. Yet we continue to play around. Today, no academic course is more important than sexuality education. I have never seen a cause of death listed as ‘failed mathematics.’ Youngsters need to learn from persons they can trust. We should not let our hang-ups impede their access to information they need to survive. Sexuality education is not pornography.

BARBARA  KANHAI
Cocorite