The Editor, Sir:

In earlier years, the subject of sex and other related issues, were never discussed openly in schools. In fact, it was considered taboo to do so. Similar perspectives also existed within the homes of many students, which left a vacuum filled by other students who themselves were misguided and uninformed on the issues and left to the whims of speculation and experimentation.

The emergence of the Internet, and the exposure of other cultural practices, further exacerbated the situation. Our children became more exposed to sexually explicit material. With this came many problems, increase in teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.

Informing students

It's primarily because of these revelations that the Ministry of Education had engaged in the process of informing students, within certain parameters, explicitly, about prevention and other precautionary measures to be taken and educating them about the consequences of being promiscuous.

Informing students about prevention and abstinence is by no means a panacea, and therefore, problems will still continue to exist. The responsibility of schools in this regard and by extension that of educators who are guardians of their young minds, is to consistently and relentlessly continue the process of educating students, especially those of the age suspected to be sexually active, about the risk and consequences.

I am, etc.,

ERROL McLEISH

ermarlii16@hotmail.com

Daytona St. Catherine