And now, schools to teach about birds & bees

The internet and television are fast becoming a major source of knowledge for children. But when a wrong message goes to them, it sends a worrying signal to parents and society. Among serious studies on the computer, children are also taking a peek into the secret world of adults.

Many children have been caught watching pornography while parents thought they were surfing the net for their school projects. No wonder, schools are seriously contemplating sex education in the classroom to assuage their curiosity and to forestall occurrences of teen pregnancy and abortions.

"It's a very good idea because children are getting wrong information. So schools have to take up the responsibility. We need to handle the psychology of the child as well," said A K Singh, vice-principal, DAV Shyamli. Singh added, "It should be implemented properly. Children are at an impressionable age. The education is best imparted to them in the presence of child psychologists to make them understand better."

Lack of communication from either teachers and parents is perhaps pushing children to the cyber world to find their answers, felt experts. While teachers feel parents are teaching them the basics at home, parents feel teachers are doing the same in school. Actually, it's the duty of both. Since parents shy away from answering some of their embarrassing questions, they get more curious. And when there's no information coming from the teachers either, they become restless and click the mouse, said psychologists.

Sharmistha Kumar, who teaches accountancy and business at DAV Shyamli, said, "Sex education should start from Class IX because by that age students become mature and they can understand better. It's a basic fact of life which should be told to them." She said first the teachers need to be trained as students ask uncomfortable questions. Later on, parents can also be roped in for such sessions.

"It is also important to know how much the child should be told, and so it is best to involve the students, teachers and parents," she said. Students welcomed the idea. "Yes awareness is important. Without any hesitation we need to be told," said Sweety Pandey of DAV Shyamli. Aradhana Tiwary, from the same school, said, "We don't want details, but the fundamentals should be told so that we can learn to protect ourselves."