Sexual and Citizen Awareness

Sunday, 10th May 2009

I am a member of the NTIUACF (Nanyang Technological Institute/University Alumni Christian Fellowship) Yahoo! Group.

A fellow member has made available the controversial pages of the Comprehensive Sexual Education teaching manual, and this in turn is now made available to you readers for download by clicking on this link.

If Josie Lau and her team's intention of joining AWARE was to make people AWARE of the sexual AWAREness programme that AWARE was using, then even though they were ousted at the recent EGM, they would consider it all to be worthwhile now that the Ministry of Education has suspended all external teaching materials. After all, Rom 8:28 says that in all things, God works for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.

Thus, in the eyes of many (even those who do not agree with the way they took over control at the AGM), Josie and team may have lost the battle, but they have won the war...

Speaking of NTIUACF, here is a post a fellow member called PL wrote to the Straits Times forum, which many felt was very well-written.

Too bad the Editor of the Straits Times felt otherwise :-)


From: PL
Subject: Re: [ntiuACF] AWARE saga - what does your church say?
To: "CF Alumni"
Date: Tuesday, 5 May, 2009, 9:29 AM

This letter was sent to the Straits Times Forum yesterday. It was not published.

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The issues centering in AWARE saga is not one that concern only the Christians. I believe Muslims and other faiths or non-faith are similarly concerned. The intrusion of homosexual lifestyle as well as the liberalisation of sexual mores have left many parents deeply concerned about what is being taught to their kids. I would not have known what was taught in the schools if this saga has not happened and the training materials were not made known to the public. I am totally outraged that they have listed sex as a pleasurable and fun things and this is communicated to 16 year olds. Worse still is that such terms are not listed upfront but are kept as trainers’ guide. These are meant for the trainers to use in their discussions with the kids in the schools. Imagine the influence and the suggestions made to the students in the midst of discussions by the trainers. I am sure any parents who have read the materials will be similarly concerned if not outraged.

I give kudos to the past Exco who have gumption to stand up and be counted. They are willing to take actions to make right what they deemed wrong. It is true that they could have done better. It is true they should have a team of not exclusively from one church or affiliation. It is true that they should be more forthright in the beginning. It is also true that the rest of the parties involved could have done better, like :

AWARE itself could have done better. For 25 years they have not build up their processes. Claiming to represent women in Singapore , they only have 200 members before this saga happens. This can hardly be called representative. They have left their doors opened, perhaps because they have so much problem recruiting members that they welcome all. If they are representing women, why the need for men to vote. There are roles men can play in men’s groups. If they want to be all inclusive, then perhaps they should change their name too and not hide behind a woman’s skirt.

MOE could have done better in monitoring the curriculum sent in by external trainers. I am surprised that the MoS came out to say that they received no complaints. My wife sent in a complaint immediately after she read the training materials. I believe any well meaning parents who have a chance to read the materials will similarly do likewise.

DBS could have done better in examining itself before it came out publicly to chastise its own employee. Employing double-standards for its own board and its staff and to do it publicly shows the hypocrisy that organizations like that practice.

I save the last for Straits Times. Straits Times could have done better in publicising the matter. They have taken a biased stand from the very beginning. Reporters are to report news and not to make suggestions and innuendos. This is the job for the analysts. Where this is a matter between 2 groups who are deeply passionate about their causes, ST have made it to be a case between Conservative Christians and the secular. This is a case between any parents who are concerned about the type of education they are receiving from AWARE. It is only this group from the church who is willing to take up the action and walk the talk. It is for this that I gave them kudos for. If only more of our citizens can be like that.