Center agrees to introduce ‘comprehensive sex education’ in schools, says Supreme Court | Today’s news
The Center informed the Supreme Court of its decision to accept the expert commission’s recommendation to introduce “comprehensive sex education” in schools and colleges across the country. Implementation will begin as soon as the court approves the report.
The submission was made on Monday before a bench of Justices BV Nagarathna and R Mahadevana, where Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati said the government has accepted the committee’s recommendations and will implement them nationwide after the Supreme Court’s approval.
The report was prepared in accordance with SC directions to examine measures to prevent criminalization of consensual teenage relationships and cases of underage pregnancy under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses Act (POCSO), according to a Times of India report.
The 26-member panel recommends changes to the curriculum
The Center has set up a 26-member national expert committee headed by an additional secretary in the ministry of women and child development to look into issues related to privacy rights of minors involved in consensual relationships, particularly in the context of the POCSO Act.
The panel included experts from Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), clinical psychologists, representatives of central ministries, state governments, National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) and National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), the report further said.
Among the commission’s main recommendations, it suggested that “comprehensive sex education” and “child sexual abuse” become part of the basic school curriculum.
It also recommended that the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) develop age-appropriate teaching material.
Age-appropriate lessons from elementary school
The report states that children should be equipped with age-appropriate knowledge to identify dangerous situations, understand personal boundaries and seek help when needed.
He recommended introducing basic concepts such as body safety, hygiene, body parts and safe and unsafe touch from the foundation stage, while gradually expanding the curriculum as students get older.
The panel further suggested that a specialist teacher should be appointed from the primary level to conduct compulsory classes on these topics for 15-20 minutes twice a week.
It is related to the national education policy
The committee recommended the integration of adolescent education into the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, saying that existing programs should be reviewed and strengthened to promote holistic development, critical thinking and life skills.
It also suggested incorporating POCSO awareness into adolescent education modules and conducting regular workshops and dialogues with parents, guardians and teachers to sensitize them on children’s developmental milestones and the importance of sex education.
Senior advocates Madhavi Divan and Liz Mathew, assisting the Supreme Court as amicus curiae, welcomed the report but suggested that the term “comprehensive sex education” be clearly defined.
The bench said it will examine the recommendation and pass an appropriate order.
