The syllabus for sex education in schools needs to be urgently updated, Parliament has said

KUALA LUMPUR: With children as young as eight being involved in sexual crimes and sexuality issues, MPs are calling for the reproductive and social health education (PEERS) syllabus to be revised.

Yeo Bee Yin, chairman of the Parliamentary Special Committee on Women, Children and Community Development, revealed the disturbing findings after visits to several primary and secondary schools in the country.

She said it has emerged that many young children are consensually involved in activities such as grooming, sex crimes or sexuality issues, often without realizing that what they are doing is illegal.

“This shows that times are changing and the PEERS syllabus must also change to keep up. It is time to re-examine the PEERS syllabus and when it is taught as our children mature faster at a younger age,” she said during her committee briefing at the Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday (Dec 11).

On possible updates, Yeo (PH-Puchong) said children should learn from an early age how to know if they are being sexually groomed.

“They need to be taught where it is safe for others to touch them, especially family members or people they know,” she said.

She also called for an expanded definition of pedophilia in the PEERS syllabus and for better awareness of sexually transmitted infections (STD).

Yeo also said it is important to include topics on the possible punishments children could receive for sexual crimes, which could serve as a deterrent.

She suggested keeping girls and boys separate during PEERS classes, with syllabi tailored to their respective genders.

“This allows them to be more open and discuss more sensitive topics, creating a more conducive learning environment,” she said.