an interesting link above. sex-ed and islam from an academic’s point of view.

http://www.islamawareness.net/Sex/

So let me rephrase that by saying that sex-ed deserves to be recognised as a necessary part of our education (formal and informal).

Whenever I mention this to my friends and ask if their parents do the same, I get a resounding no accompanied with a look of horror. I guess it’s not commonplace for parents to discuss this issue with their children.

It’s the risk that you might be encouraging or endorsing pre-marital sex through sex-ed that scares the wits out of some of us. Yet, must sex-ed be all about how to put on a condom?

On this issue, I am in total agreement with Maurina; sex-ed is also about the effects of pre-marital sex on your future, your partner’s future, your parent’s future (they presumably will have to foot the bill in terms of childcare at least initially), your child’s future (at the age of 17 who are you to say that you are financially, emotionally, mentally fit to secure the best future for your child) and your health among other things.

Responsibility for sex-ed lies in many and not one group. Parents, those considering pre-marital sex, the State, the healthcare system. Each one of these parties should address the issue head-on considering the impact of pre-marital sex on all these parties.

Is there anything to hinder this kind of attitude being developed within our community? Religion is often quoted as such a hindrance. A quick google search on sex education in Islam gave me the following link:

http://www.islamawareness.net/Sex/education.html

“It is our firm belief that facts about sex should be taught to children in a way commensurate with their age as they grow up both by the family and the school. We emphasize that this should be done within the total context of Islamic ideology and Islamic teaching, so that the youth-beside getting the correct physiologic knowledge become fully aware on the sanctity of the sexual relation in Islam and the grave sin of blemishing such sanctity whether under Islamic law, or far more important in the sight of God. Provided the Islamic conscience is developed we see no reason to shun sex education (unfortunately the rule in many muslim countries), and we believe it is better to give the correct teaching rather than leave this to chance and to incorrect sources and to the concomitant feeling of guilt by the hush-hush atmosphere in which this is done.”

This is an approach that should be seriously considered by the authorities and an attitude that should be inculcated among parents and educators alike. Whether or not any such education will be treated seriously by the target audience is completely beside the point (although the hope is that it will be taken very seriously).

It must be noted that the above extract focuses on physiological and religious consequences of pre-marital sex. The economic and social consequences should form part of the material of the syllabus itself if not already taught under the heading of religion.

At the risk that I might rant any further, I will end here. Sex-ed is not an option.

Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 92.7%
male: 95.2%
female: 90.2% (2001 census)

I feel sorry for you for not having done much research about Brunei. This website: http://www.bruneitourism.travel might help you learn more on what Brunei is all about. beautiful country…

Illiteracy in Brunei? Since 1984, Brunei started dual language in schools, with the English Language being the mode of education from Primary 4 (age 9 onwards) for all languages, except Religious Studies and Malay Language. We don’t claim 100% literacy but we’re in the high 90s, that much I know…

Women in Brunei are highly literate and are holding more posts in both the Government and Private Sector.

Alma, the topic discussed in this thread is actually (last I checked) is on sex education. Where did you have the nerve to actually discuss about another person’s country and what they do? We need a global input here, from poeple who has experience in managing social issues such as this… There are other horrors in the world than to pick on Brunei and it’s religious practices.

So, if you have had a success in Sex Ed or know a website that can actually help these social issues, do leave them in this page… Thanks…

We need a Global Contribution ….

I think that not including parents in the whole sex education in Brunei thing would be a mistake, especially considering how sex is quite the taboo subject here. Just because they are not highly educated doesn’t mean they are all passive individuals.

Frankly Alma, it is your sweeping statements that I find most disgusting. Offending Muslims or whatever other religious groups here is simply not the way to find solutions.

With this in mind, we do need sex ed in Brunei, to create awareness. Yes, Brunei is a Muslim country, and that a conservative one. I agree that it should be presented to children and to parents at schools, separately, so that kids won’t feel shy or afraid to ask questions.

Separately, so that the parents also know what is being taught at school.

So, yes, Brunei need to be more pro-active in this issue. I know we are trying to increase our population, we need to do it the right way, to continue being a blessed country.

May Allah, continue to bless this little nation on the island of Borneo, Aamin.