KOCHI: Alarmed at the rising sexual crimes and misconceptions regarding sex among the students, the state education department has decided to impart sex education to adolescent students.
Students of high schools and higher secondary schools will be taught sex education along with health education at various health clubs organised as part of the class.
The programme, organised in association with the Department of Health, will consist of adolescent empowerment, ensuring personal hygiene and social hygiene.
In all, 100 teachers have undergone training in each section. Trained teachers will be selected as master trainers.
"The project is aimed at the comprehensive development of each student.
Physical health and awareness are as important as mental health.
That’s why the project focuses on such aspects,’’ said KV Kunjikrishnan, state project officer, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyaan (SSA). The services of volunteers from the health department and PTA will be utilised for making the project a success, he said.
"One of the most important reasons for the increasing number of sexual crimes reported from among the students is lack of proper sex education. Students will be able to maintain mental, physical and social health provided they are given proper awareness on such issues,’’ Kunjikrishnan said.
The main topics will be gender education, gender equality and sexuality.
``Students will be taught almost all aspects of health and sex, including anatomy and menstruation. They will also be given lessons in personal and social hygiene,’’ health department sources said.