SEX EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES

A few years ago an interview with a foreign lady had appeared in a Malayalam publication. She came to Kottayam by a KSRTC bus. She walked from the bus stand to the central junction. During this short walk, she said that twelve times people had laid their hands on her. It may not be a uncommon thing for the women folk of God's own country. In another instance, a city bus conductor of Ernakulam, during noon time when there were less passengers in the bus, conciously laid hands on the body of a school girl (I think that the man was later arrested by the police.) In another heinous act a 76 years old women was picked from the way side somewhere from north of Trissur, and according to the media reports she was  raped by a young man and thrown to the road side and some passerby had later rescued her. Recently there was a media report about a fifty plus man sentenced to imprisonment for raping a minor girl. Such things goes on and on in the God's own country. These things may not be quite exclusive for our state, but I think similar things wouldn't happen in most part of the world.

Why men of Kerala, who boast themselves about their high rate of literacy, have such typically strange approach to the opposite sex? Is this out of biological irregularities or due to any geographical reasons? This is to be answered by physiological experts. However, looking at women like any inferior commodity can be got erased by proper education. Under the present social system of our state, it is essential to provide sex education both in schools and colleges. Necessary syllabus should be drawn by a committee consisting of Psychologists, Physiologists, Educationalists and Sociologists. Lessons on social behaviour and etiquette should also be added in the syllabus. There should also be periodical seminars and general counselling on these aspects both in schools and colleges. If properly executed it can be safely anticipated that our coming generations shall be a well disciplined lot. Since it has been proven that law alone cannot reform a society, we may depend much on education too. Let us leave alone politics for some time and do something for our people.

K V George