More serious attention should be given to sex education: Minister

Sex education in Malaysia must be given more serious attention through a comprehensive approach that involves schools, parents, and various government agencies, said Nancy Shukri.

The women, family and community development minister stressed that sex education should no longer be treated as a taboo subject.

Instead, recognise it as a crucial element in shaping values and protecting children and adolescents, particularly in today’s increasingly digital world.

“Sex education is included in the school curriculum, but its content remains limited and is often underemphasised.

“This is a shortcoming that we must address immediately,” she told reporters after opening the Malaysia Madani statehood seminar in Lundu, Sarawak, today.

She said the matter had been discussed at the highest levels, including at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim involving various ministries and government agencies.

Parents need to be involved

Nancy said addressing the matter was not only the responsibility of her ministry but required an integrated approach and, most importantly, bringing parents together to educate children about values and personal safety.

“The reluctance of teachers to address the topic, often due to shyness or cultural sensitivities, has resulted in sex education being only lightly touched upon, even though it is included in the textbooks.

“This is an issue that concerns the safety and well-being of our children, and we are actively exploring the most effective and comprehensive ways to address it,” she added.

The ministry, she said, would also ensure that parenting programmes would contain elements of sex education to help parents communicate with their children openly and safely on the topic.

Recently, a Kelantan police officer lodged a report with the authorities after discovering a video recording of his 14-year-old daughter engaging in sexual acts with a teen boy on her phone.

The incident coincided with a rise in sexual crimes such as rape and incest in the state.

- Bernama

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