Karnataka government plans to introduce sex education for students in Classes 8 to 12
Bengaluru: The Karnataka government is planning to introduce sex education for students from Classes 8 to 12, as announced by School Education Minister Madhu Bangarappa.
In a 12-page written reply tabled in the Legislative Council, the minister shared that the education department plans to offer two sex education classes per week, as reported by Deccan Herald on Thursday. These sessions will be conducted by local doctors and police personnel, aimed at helping students navigate the physical, emotional, and mental changes that occur during adolescence.
However, the minister did not specify a timeline for the launch of this initiative.
The department is also planning to conduct health check-ups twice a year for students in Classes 1 to 10. Nurses and doctors from local Primary Health Centers will also provide monthly orientations on hygiene, contagious diseases, and the harmful effects of drug abuse as part of health education, the reply said.
To further support students, the government will establish counselling committees in colleges. A woman lecturer will be appointed as the nodal officer to provide a safe space for female students to discuss their issues freely. This initiative aims to address the concerns of children, adolescents, and their parents.
Additionally, the minister announced plans for biannual counselling sessions with prominent psychologists in schools. Separate counselling sessions will be held for students exhibiting "unnatural or unwarranted" behaviour, which will be addressed by qualified psychiatrists, the report added.
In addition, workshops by police personnel will be organised to educate students about the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
Bangarappa expressed his support for introducing moral education in schools from the next academic year. He emphasised the importance of teaching children the principle of "give respect to gain respect" and noted that he would consult with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to make a formal announcement on this matter.
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Cong leader Prithviraj Chavan defiant after facing verbal missiles on Op Sindoor remarks
Mumbai (PTI): Despite facing criticism, senior Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan on Wednesday stood by his controversial comments that India faced a "total defeat" in aerial fight with Pakistan on the first day of Operation Sindoor on May 7.
The former Union minister refused to apologise for his comments on the Indian military operation against terror hubs in Pakistan and PoK in aftermath of massacre of tourists at Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir in April.
Talking to reporters in Pune on Tuesday, Chavan claimed India faced a "total defeat in the aerial fight (with Pakistan) on May 7 which lasted for half-an-hour".
"One may believe this or not. After that the Indian Air Force got grounded and not a single aircraft took flight that day.... be it Gwalior, Bhatinda or Sirsa, there was a possibility of aircraft being shot down, so our complete Air Force was grounded," the former Maharashtra chief minister had said.
Hitting out at Chavan, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde accused the Congress of speaking the language of Pakistan. He said questioning the military action was akin to demoralising the morale of armed forces.
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"The criticism does not stem from the love of the nation, but love for Pakistan," said the chief leader of the Shiv Sena, a key constituent of the BJP-led NDA.
Chavan, however, remained defiant.
"There is no question of apologising. The Constitution has given me the right to ask questions," the Congress veteran asserted.
Chavan also questioned the need of having a 12-lakh strong Army when future wars will be about aerial combats and missiles. "During Operation Sindoor we saw that there was no movement of the Army even for a kilometre," he had said.
BJP Lok Sabha MP and spokesperson Sambit Patra said Chavan's remarks are loaded with sedition.
"He (Chavan) has refused to apologise. The Indian armed forces struck 100 kms inside the Pakistan territory and destroyed 11 air strips (of the Pakistani Air Force). He made remarks that the Indian Army did not even move an inch (during the military operation). This is nothing but a statement full of sedition, a statement of a traitor," Patra said, lashing out at the Congress leader.
The BJP spokesperson maintained the Congress appears to be standing with Chavan and alleged the Opposition party is playing into foreign hands.
Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra should apologise for it, he added.
Union minister Giriraj Singh of the BJP insisted it was not right to devalue the valour of Indian armed forces.
Samajwadi Party MP Virendra Singh suggested that wherever armed forces are concerned, every Indian should be mindful of statements they make and ensure their comments do not demoralise the military.
Operation Sindoor was a result of "mistakes of politicians", he claimed.
TDP MP Krishna Devraylu said after the poll defeat in Bihar, the Congress is rattled and their leaders have been talking absurdly.
"Chavan's remarks are a prime example of this. This kind of disrespect to our armed forces is not necessary. If the Congress is angry with the NDA, it should show it in a different way and not drag armed forces into it," Devraylu opined.
AAP MP Ashok Mittal said such statements should not be made by any senior politician, especially by someone who has been a former chief minister.
The Indian armed forces registered a strong victory and destroyed terror launchpads in Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, Mittal added.
