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.
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Oppn, X users flag concerns over US envoy Sergio Gor’s visit to Army’s western command
New Delhi: A visit by the US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, to Chandigarh on Monday has triggered sharp criticism from opposition leaders and social media users, raising questions about national security and foreign policy.
On X, Ambassador Gor announced his visit, writing, “Just landed in Chandigarh. Looking forward to visiting the Western Command of the Indian Army.”
Just landed in Chandigarh. Looking forward to visiting the Western Command of the Indian Army
— Ambassador Sergio Gor (@USAmbIndia) February 16, 2026
Soon after, opposition voices questioned the broader implications of the visit. Congress Kerala, in a post, commented, “Why so much panic? We’ve already seen Pakistan's ISI getting access to Pathankot Airbase with this government's blessings. Didn't they say then ‘Modi ne kiya ho to kuch soch samajh kar kiya hoga?’ Compared to that, this is very small.”
Why so much panic? We’ve already seen Pakistan's ISI getting access to Pathankot Airbase with this government's blessings.
— Congress Kerala (@INCKerala) February 16, 2026
Didn't they say then "Modi ne kiya ho to kuch soch samajh kar kiya hoga?"
Compared to that, this is very small. pic.twitter.com/gNNuAGQBPC
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi also weighed in, writing, “Since India’s national strategic interests are now tied to what US wants India to do, this visit seems to sync with that.”
She further added, “India’s history will remember the de-escalation announcement between India and Pak was announced on social media by the US President before Indians got to know from their own government. US Ambassador is doing the job for his nation, who is doing for us? The answer is blowing in the wind.”
Since India’s national strategic interests are now tied to what US wants India to do, this visit seems to sync with that. India’s history will remember the de-escalation announcement between India and Pak was announced on social media by the US President before Indians got to… pic.twitter.com/rYMq5NhJHA
— Priyanka Chaturvedi🇮🇳 (@priyankac19) February 16, 2026
The visit comes against the backdrop of the growing US-India defence partnership.
Writer and political analyst @rajuparulekar commented on ‘X’, “East India Company is back!”
“Is it allowed for an ambassador to visit any army unit in india?” asked another user.
Several X users expressed concerns over the appropriateness of the visit.
One asked, “Is it allowed for an ambassador to visit any army unit in India?” Another wrote, “Why an ambassador visiting our army places? To talk to Chandigarh lobby for F-35?”
Why an ambassador visiting our army places ? To talk to chandigarh lobby for f-35 ??
— Rohan Sagar (@RohanSagar03) February 16, 2026
“We have completely sold Indian sovereignty. Rothschild the evil Bankers will now control NSE. Modi sold Bharat Mata to Trump . And now American imperialist is visiting our army command . Scary,” wrote another user.
“The Indian Army isn’t part of geopolitics, so why is he interested in visiting there?,” opined another.
The Indian Army isn’t part of geopolitics, so why is he interested in visiting there?
— Aditya Pratap Singh (@Adi_IIMCIAN) February 16, 2026
On Sunday, Gor welcomed Admiral Samuel Paparo, Commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM), highlighting efforts to expand the growing US-India defence partnership.
In a post on X, Gor wrote, “Delighted to have @INDOPACOM Commander Admiral Samuel Paparo in India to expand the U.S.-India defense partnership. Now is the time to strengthen vital cooperation between our two nations.”
On Monday, Admiral Samuel J. Paparo Jr visited the headquarters of India’s Western Army Command along with the American envoy Sergio Gor. The delegation was briefed on the formation’s capabilities, its past operations, and future plans.
The American delegation also visited Bengaluru, where they met three start-ups, two in the space sector and one in defence, and participated in an Indo-US conference.
