K’taka advances adolescence education to middle school; Boys still left out of awareness programs
Bengaluru: In a move aimed at addressing early puberty, the Karnataka Education Department has decided to introduce adolescence education in schools starting from Class 6, instead of the earlier practice of beginning in Class 8. This change comes as the average age of menarche has been advancing, with girls now reaching puberty as early as nine or ten years old.
“This year, we are introducing a moral science module in the curriculum and adolescence education is a part of it. We will start teaching it to the students from class 6 onwards in an age-appropriate manner as the age of puberty is earlier than before now,” The Hindu quoted K.V. Trilok Chandra, Commissioner of Public Instruction, as saying.
Recent studies and medical experts have noted a significant shift in the age of menarche in India, which was traditionally between 11 and 13 years. Now, it is not uncommon for girls to experience menarche as early as nine or ten, with multiple factors such as diet and lifestyle contributing to this change.
Teachers at several government and private schools in Karnataka have reportedly begun providing education on menstruation, menstrual hygiene, and bodily changes related to puberty as early as Class 5 or 6.
“At home, parents do not teach girls about menstruation or menstrual hygiene freely. In our school, the women faculty ensure that we talk to them about these things, especially hygiene, from class 6. We also get PG medical students from government medical colleges to teach about menstruation with a visual presentation,” The Hindu quoted a headmistress of a Karnataka Public School in South Bengaluru as saying.
Despite these efforts, there remains a noticeable gap in sensitisation programs for boys in many schools. According to students, joint sex education sessions for boys and girls are still not the norm. “I feel uncomfortable talking about it. In my school, I know the girls were taught sex education, but we were not in the class, so I don’t know exactly what they learned,” the news outlet quoted a male student from a private school in Banashankari as saying.
Even in government schools, there are no joint sex education programmes for boys and girls. “We conduct awareness programmes for girl students between the ages of 10 and 15. But there are no such awareness or sensitisation programmes for boys,” said the headmaster of a government school near Kanakapura Road.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Veteran Tamil film producer Rajan dies after jumping into Adyar River
Chennai (PTI): Veteran Tamil film producer K Rajan died after jumping into the Adyar River in the city on Sunday, police said.
Police said it appears to be a case of suicide, though the reason for his extreme step was not immediately known.
The 85-year-old film personality asked his driver to stop the car while crossing the Adyar bridge and suddenly got out and jumped into the river, police sources said.
The driver immediately alerted Fire and Rescue Services personnel, who reached the spot, recovered the body, and sent it for post-mortem.
Police have registered a case, and further investigation is underway.
Rajan entered the Tamil film industry as a producer in the early 1980s. Apart from producing films, he also directed a few movies.
He also served as president of a film distributors’ association.
Top leaders of political parties, including the two Dravidian majors—the DMK and AIADMK—expressed shock and grief over his death and conveyed their condolences to the bereaved family.
Former Chief Minister and DMK President M K Stalin said Rajan had always boldly raised his voice for the welfare of small film producers and the overall development of the film industry.
“He had always urged that Tamil films be titled in Tamil,” Stalin said in a statement, adding that Rajan consistently fought for the rights of ordinary workers in the film industry.
AIADMK general secretary and former Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami said Rajan’s voice was important in securing recognition for small-budget films in the Tamil film industry.
Among others who condoled his death was PMK founder S Ramadoss. Leaders from various parties also expressed their condolences to the bereaved family.
“This is terrible news. Deeply shocked to hear about the demise of our beloved member of the film fraternity, producer K Rajan sir,” actor and BJP leader Khushbu Sundar said in a post on social media platform X.
“He was a very respectful person and someone who never hesitated to call a spade a spade. This is very upsetting. May his soul rest in peace,” she added.
