New Delhi, April 1 (AP): Maharashtra has refused to introduce sex education in schools, with politicians saying it can corrupt young minds, a news report said on Saturday.

The western state's government also banned books that instruct teachers on how to present sex education in the schools, following opposition from lawmakers, The Indian Express newspaper reported.

The decision was recently announced by Hasan Mushrif, junior state minister for school education, in the state legislature.

Although India is making economic strides, most people remain conservative about sex and even talking about it is still considered taboo. Engaging in homosexual acts is a crime.

However, attitudes are gradually changing among the educated class.

The Maharashtra state government's rebuff came in response to a federal government effort to introduce sex education in schools across the country. For years, teachers in state-funded schools in the state have been talking to students to increase their awareness about sex.

The Central Board of Secondary Education, or CBSE, has prescribed syllabus and sex education books for schoolchildren. Most Indian states are expected to decide on introducing sex education in coming months.

One of the handbooks prepared by the CBSE asks the teachers to encourage students to say aloud the names of sex organs and parts of the human reproductive system so that no one is shy about discussing sexual matters.

There are also lists of topic like ``If there were no condoms'' and ``If there were no clothes.''

Arundhati Chavan, chairwoman of the Parent-Teacher Association United Forum, said there was no need to get into such explicit details of physiology.

``Though sex education is important enough to be taught in schools, it should be done according to the level of the child. It can be done in a couple of sessions of what to do and what not to do,'' the daily quoted her as saying.