The world’s largest democracy is in the midst of a great debate. The hot topic of the day in India — world famous for the Kamasutra, an ancient sex manual, and for its Khajuraho temples of erotic structures — is this: should sex be talked about in schools or not?
The goal of a new educational program in India is to ensure that all 14 to 18-year-olds are provided with accurate knowledge about HIV/AIDS, and taught about safer-sex practices. The Human Resource Development Ministry’s Adolescent Education Programme (AEP) was prepared in collaboration with the National AIDS Control Organisation and UNICEF. Proponents of the programme state that India’s burgeoning population and AIDS/HIV figures are reason enough to start talking about sex.
Last year, India became the country with the highest number of HIV-positive people, with more than one third of new cases reported among the 15 to 29 age group. Health experts estimate that if action is not taken to fight the spread of the virus, HIV/AIDS cases in the country could increase from 5.7 million to more than 20 million by 2010. About 86% of HIV cases in the country are transmitted through sexual intercourse. India’s kids make up 19 percent of the world’s youth.
State governments were given leeway to adapt the newly proposed curriculum to local needs, but a third of the country‘s 29 states, including Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharshtra and Karnataka have banned the introduction of sex education altogether, arguing that the curriculum is against Indian culture and ethics and could confuse teens into thinking that sex, when practiced safely, is permissable.
Opponents to the program are accused of using the issue to gain political points by criticizing the West. Advocates of the program are said to be collaborating with foreign powers to increase the sale of condoms. While conspiracy theories are developed on either side, at the heart of the issue are certain objectionable words such as masturbation, arousal and sexual intercourse, discussions of homosexuality and descriptions of sex acts, information on contraception and sexually-transmitted diseases, and a flip chart summarizing the physical changes experienced by teenagers during puberty, deemed as too graphic.
But it will take more than an official yay or nay to effect real change among the student population. Knowing the facts is not enough. Healthy sexual habits are formed when accompanied by social skills, a high level of self-respect, and a supportive environment that allows for discussion and choice. Are India‘s teachers sufficiently equipped to provide all of that?
This article was published Wednesday, August 29, 2007.
