Date:19/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/19/stories/2008081960750300.htm

Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

New module of AEP launched

Staff Reporter

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A watered-down version of the Adolescent Education Programme (AEP) that edits out controversial sections relating to sexual intercourse and contraceptive was presented before the media by the State Council of Educational Research and Training on Monday.

The revised module meant of students from Class IX to XI focusses more on life skill, food and nutrition and hygiene instead of the “contentious topics” relating to sex and sexuality, which kicked up much heat and dust in the State last year.

Presenting the module, M.A. Khader, director, SCERT, said the text also emphasises on providing counselling to the students. The bulk of the book focusses mainly on imparting life skills to the students. “All the pictures related to reproduction have been deleted,” said Mr. Khader.

Minister for Education M.A. Baby said it was “uninformed discussion” on the topic that led to the controversy last year when the programme was introduced. “This is not sex education but adolescent education,” he said.

The programme mooted by the Union Ministry of Human Resource Development was launched in association with the National AIDS Control Organisation. The programme was intended to cover over 4,000 high school and higher secondary schools in the State.

“The crumbling of the joint family system has necessitated the importance of imparting adolescent education for children,” said Mr. Baby.

Dr. Radhamani, dermatologist, who was present on the occasion, said “risky behaviour” among adolescent groups was increasing in the State.