By Theresa Tan & Amelia Tan

THE Ministry of Education (MOE) is investigating the sexuality education programme run in some schools by the Association of Women for Action and Research (Aware) after receiving complaints from parents.

The move comes two days after the ministry said in a letter to the media that it had not received any complaints about the programme and thus saw no reason to intervene.

But since then, it said, some parents had expressed concern about the content found in an instructor guide for Aware's programme, which had been posted online.

The Straits Times understands that since the ministry's letter was published on Wednesday, the new guard of Aware has encouraged parents to make their concerns known to MOE.

In addition, a petition has been circulating online. It wants the Education Minister to probe Aware's programme.

The ministry is now looking into whether the Aware instruction guide was used for sexuality education workshops run by the group in schools.

It is also reviewing the contents of the guide.

In a statement yesterday, the ministry also said it had received some feedback and queries from parents.

In general, it said, parents had asked for clarification on what students are taught during sexuality education programmes in school.

In response, the ministry said its programmes reflect 'the mainstream views and values of Singapore society, where the majority of Singaporeans hold conservative views of sexuality'.

It added that homosexuality is covered in one lesson for lower secondary classes.

'The lesson seeks to inform students of the definition of 'homosexual' and that homosexual acts are illegal under Singapore's law,' said its spokesman.

'It does not promote homosexuality, but follows social norms of mainstream society.'

The online petition, meanwhile, is gaining steam.

In just a few days, more than 1,200 people have put their names on it.

Apart from seeking a probe, it also wants the Education Minister to inform parents 'more accurately about values and contents' of sexuality programmes taught in schools.

It was started by a woman who signed off as Madam K.F. Khoo.

She declined to be interviewed by The Straits Times.

Mr Vincent Lim, a 34-year-old private tutor and father of two young children, said he signed up because he wanted MOE to carry out a 'thorough investigation' into Aware's programme.

He said: 'If it is found out that Aware's programme portrays homosexuality in a positive light, I will strongly object to it and want it to be stopped in the schools.'

This article was first published in The Straits Times.