School8217;s sex education plan shot down

Thakker alleged that the signatures on the statement, which described the programme as the first of its kind, had been forged.

However, former school trustee Hasmukh Shah, who had played a key role in planning the seminar, said it had been called off on the insistence of politicians, but refused to name them. Thakker said he had been receiving calls from parents to cancel the programme.

Sexologist Paras Shah, consultant for the aborted seminar, was stoical. If they want to cancel the session now, so be it8217;, he said. Shah said he had been preparing for the seminar for about a month and slides for the lecture on Friday were ready8217;. According to him, Some political leaders had expressed opposition to the programme.8217;

But cancellation may not be the end of it. The Principal threatened legal action against those who had forged his signatures on the statement which, he said, was released without his consent. We will take action after consulting the school trustees and officers in the Education Department8217;, he said.

And he pointed the finger at Shah. He approached the school for organising the programme. We asked him to make a presentation to the male science teachers on Friday, after which a decision was to be taken. But he misused it to gain publicity8217;, Thakker alleged.

But Shah maintained that the press release was signed by Thakker and issued only after his approval. Initially, we had planned a press conference, but settled for a press note8217;, he said, and claimed that the school authorities had told him that about 200 students were expected to participate in Friday8217;s programme.

As for Thakker8217;s threat of legal action, Shah said, If the signatures have been forged, let them prove it. I am willing to face the consequences8217;.

Notwithstanding the controversy, many teachers of Ankur School hold that sex education is necessary for senior students. Said biology teacher C D Patel, Students are shy to approach us or their parents. The guidance of an expert would be useful8217;. Neeta Shahji, another teacher, observed, It is important that students receive correct information. If not, they are likely to be misguided and face problems.8217;

Thakker agreed, It is definitely necessary, but we should have some limits. Media hype about such programmes might lead to serious repercussions.8217; Thakker also said that, as principal, he had to carry everybody along8217;.

However, some educationists hold a contrary view. Secretary of Ahmedabad School Management Association Bhaskar Patel said there was no need for sex education at school level. Students of the science stream are exposed to this in their syllabus. What is required is general understanding and orientation to sexual issues which can be provided by senior teachers8217;, he said.

Raja Pathak, another educationist, spoke of the need to generate an environment where sexual issues can be discussed freely8217;. Nevertheless, he felt that sex education in schools would be detrimental to the education system and society on the whole.