Mi Choza De Nipa

AWARE SAGA He regrets backing new exco in his sermon Alicia Wong alicia@mediacorp.com.sg SENIOR pastor of the Church Of Our Saviour Derek Hong has issued a public apology for using the pulpit to give backing to the Association of Women for Action and Research's (Aware) executive committee in their dispute with the group's previous leadership. "My actions on the pulpit have aroused some tension in this saga," he said, "I now stand corrected. I undertake to be more sensitive to similar situations in the future." Hackles were raised recently when he encouraged female churchgoers to "be engaged" and support Aware president Josie Lau and "her sisters" in the women advocacy group, in a weekend sermon posted on the church's website. Last Sunday, the pastor also invited his congregation to pray for Aware president Josie Lau and her husband, who stood next to Mr Hong on stage. "I regret that this matter has caused concern and unhappi...

An EGM (Extra General Meeting) for AWARE was held, and the story goes that Old Guard, then ousted by New Guard, came back, with a league of strong members, to also oust the New Guard. And the very touchy and sensitive issues of homosexuality and religion were among those discussed. Read full story below. A Coming of Age of Civil Society - Yahoo! Singapore News

The Ministry of Education (MOE) said yesterday that some parents have expressed concern over the content found in an “AWARE Comprehensive Sexual Education: Basic Instructor Guide” that has been posted online. The MOE said it was investigating this matter. Apart from MOE’s own sexuality education programme, the ministry said that “schools can also collaborate with other agencies”. In doing so, schools must ensure that any programmes run by external agencies are guided by the same principles set out in MOE’s framework for sexuality education, said the ministry.   Why do schools engage external agencies? As the needs of students vary across schools, schools are given the autonomy to decide on topics that would best meet their students’ needs to augment sexuality education in schools; and also on which external agency to engage. For this purpose, guidelines on the engagement of external organisations to conduct sexuality education have been given to schools. What are ...

SEXUALITY EDUCATION Don't just leave it to schools or authorities Letter from Woon Sook Yi I REFER to "Content of sessions was appropriate" from Ms Sum Chee Wah, director of Education Programmes, Ministry of Education (MOE) (April 29). I write as a parent of three children. I can tell the scope of subjects taught in school from its textbooks. However, family values cannot be adequately taught in school. A child's identity is largely shaped by his or her family values and upbringing, moral and religious beliefs included. A child's growth encompasses his or her emotional, physical and mental needs, as well as awareness of his or her sexuality. All these needs should be fundamentally addressed at home. Therefore, I would suggest that the MOE relook its scope on guiding students over such non-textbook, sensitive issues. Sexuality education in particular. Sexuality education delivered by external parties, who are also shaped by a value system, cannot be neutral or bala...

Anybody knew about this alleged unwholesome sex education by AWARE, not to mention their endorsement of "pink parents" concept, a family unit made up to 2 gays or 2 lesbians, and an adopted child? Would be good to come out in the open… ----- AWARE'S SEXUALITY EDUCATION PROGRAMME Letter from Sum Chee Wah (Ms) Director, Education Programmes Ministry of Education (MOE) WE REFER to recent claims and comments about Aware's sexuality education programme in schools. Sexuality education conducted in MOE schools is premised on the importance of the family, and respect for the values and beliefs of the different ethnic and religious communities on sexuality issues. The aim is to help students make responsible values-based choices on matters involving sexuality. Core programmes are delivered by teachers but schools do collaborate with other agencies in delivering additional modules. However, in doing so, schools must ensure that programmes run by external agencies are secular an...