“Growing Years or Sexuality Education (SEd) is a programme in local Singapore schools with MOE syllabus which is about enabling students to understand the physiological, social and emotional changes they experience as they mature, develop healthy and rewarding relationships, including those with members of the opposite sex, and make wise, informed and responsible decisions on sexuality matters. SEd is premised on the importance of the family as the basic unit of society. This means encouraging healthy, heterosexual marriages and stable nuclear family units with extended family support. The teaching and learning of SEd are based on respect for the values and beliefs of the different ethnic and religious communities in Singapore on sexuality issues.”

Education on homosexuality in Singapore's Growing Years Programme is biased and actively discourages any form of homosexuality. This biased point of view of homosexuality is limiting students’ ability to form their own opinions on the topic of sexuality. If not educated on LGBT+ from a nonbiased point of view, the students will not know enough about the topic, and their opinion will be greatly influenced by one party. Singapore schools emphasise students' abilities to form their own opinion, and it is only right they allow students to do so with this topic.

Being taught limited information on homosexuality, some students may experience confusion about their sexual orientation, which may lead to serious mental health issues which can lead to self-destructive thoughts. 

Students who are confused about their sexuality are referred to counsellors in their schools. The school counsellors are posted to help students emotionally and support them. However, evidence from past instances suggests that they are prevented from providing positive counselling to LGBT+ students. Some students who have come out to their counsellors were told that it was wrong to be queer and faced mental health issues about their identities.

I strongly believe that students must be educated on sexual orientation in a factual and unbiased way. Sign this petition so SEd will include education on sexual orientation which will benefit students, making them aware of this topic so as to form self-made opinions on the matter.

The choice to make this crucial step towards a more open society in Singapore today lies in you. By signing this petition today, you are contributing to the well-being of future generations studying here in Singapore.

Image source: https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/singapore-teachers-working-fewer-hours-still-more-international-peers-oecd-survey