I REFER to Thursday's letter, 'Why MOE suspended Aware project'. I understand and applaud the cautious stance of the Ministry of Education (MOE) in response to public feedback.
Although I realise it is preferable to allow programmes that 'adhere to the social norms and values' of society, I also believe education must inform, sometimes against public opinion. I hope the suspension is not a knee-jerk reaction that will move us backwards.
The Aware event has allowed homosexuality and the opinions people hold about the issue to be discussed openly. Any future move should not ignore this step forward that has been taken.
I hope that MOE, in its re-evaluation of the sexual education modules by Aware and other vendors, will practise reason and fairness.
Homosexuality as a condition exists in both the human world and the animal kingdom. The reasons for its existence are not clear, just as no scientist is clear why flowers bloom in different colours. Whether it is a negative or positive condition is subject to beliefs that can originate from an individual's cultural and religious background. These beliefs should not be allowed to colour the science or deny the existence of homosexuality.
It is essential information our children and youth are already aware of, have questions about and some inevitably wrestle with.
A reasonable, non-biased and progressive education system should not promote homosexuality; nor should it deny or present only the negative aspects of it.
To do anything less is to rob our children and youth of their right to full information and knowledge, and this will have negative ramifications for their lives and their interactions with others who are different in society.
Alicia Wong (Ms)
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