Let's not talk about sex: teachers

Jaipur: Next winter through long afternoon classes students like Teenu Singh might get to learn a thing or two about sex, a subject she relies on friends to talk about since discussing it with teachers and parents she says is a big no-no.

With the Rajasthan government all set to introduce a book called Jeevan Kaushal or "The Art of Life" in the 11th standard, adolescent students across the state may start to understand sex and health much better than they do today.

And although the students don't quite want to take these lessons in co-ed classes, they clearly welcome the move.

Says Teenu Singh: " Yes, if it is in girls schools then we want to study this subject but not in co-ed classes because boys do not take it in the right context."

But the government school-teachers who have the job of teaching the subject have a huge hang-ups about it.

Putting their foot down on the issue of sex-education in classrooms, the teachers now want the government to reconsider its decision.

Explains Radhakrishna Agarwal, Leader, Teachers Union, "The relationship of a teacher and student is like that of a parent and child. So how is it possible for us to talk about sex?"

In a state where a lot of people say "yes" to child marriages, their saying "no" to sex education should come as no surprise. And if teachers like Agarwal remain unconvinced the state governments latest plan may just fall to pieces.

Lets talk about sex in schools but let's not call it quite that, is how the state government would rather have it.

Ghanshyam Tiwari, State Education Minister, says, "This is not sex education it is Jeevan Kaushal…and that's the name of the book. Now whatever portion of 'it' (read sex) want to learn about, you'll find it in this book."

Sex education in schools is clearly a move in the right direction by the state government to educate children about sex.

But how successful this will be in Rajasthan, a state still struggling with a feudal hangover, still remains to be seen.