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SINGAPORE: The Ministry of Education (MOE) has released guidelines which external vendors conducting sexuality education programmes in schools will have to adhere to.
The vendors are also required to submit their policy statement on sexuality education. The statement must cover five areas, including homosexuality, abortion and pre-marital sex.
The guidelines are listed on the government's electronic procurement system.
All current providers of such programmes will also have to submit their applications by October 19. If not, they will not be allowed to continue providing such programmes.
The move follows the ministry's decision to tighten its processes to vet and approve external agencies allowed to provide sexuality education in schools, in the wake of the AWARE controversy.
Prior to the AWARE saga, schools had the autonomy to hire external vendors for their sexuality education programmes. But now, they will have to choose from a list that is vetted and approved by the ministry.
There have been concerns that AWARE's sexuality education programme had promoted homosexuality.
Interested vendors will also have to demonstrate their track record and relevant experience in working with children and youths in sexuality-related areas.
The bid specifications state that the programmes are meant to augment school resources for sexuality education and not to replace sexuality education programmes in schools.
Bidders must also ensure that the teaching of facts is integrated with the teaching of mainstream values.
In addition, MOE wants students to understand and respect the attitudes, values and beliefs regarding sexuality in the context of Singapore's multi-religious and multi-racial society.
Once the submission of bids closes later this month, MOE will undertake a vetting process which is expected to take up to two months. Successful bidders could start providing their sexuality education programmes as early as next January.
AWARE has yet to comment on whether it plans to submit an application or if it has already done so. - 938LIVE
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