Family Education

Find out how NorthLight School delivers Family Education in 2026, including MOE's Sexuality Education and the eTeens programme, to help students build healthy relationships and make responsible decisions.

Last updated 15 July 2026

MOE SEXUALITY EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS

Sexuality Education (SEd) in schools aims to enable students to understand the physiological, social and emotional changes they experience as they mature, develop healthy and rewarding relationships with others, including those with members of the opposite sex, and make wise, informed and responsible decisions on sexuality matters. SEd is premised on the importance of the family as the basic unit of society. This means encouraging healthy, heterosexual marriages and stable nuclear family units with extended family support. The teaching and learning of SEd is based on respect for the values and beliefs of the different ethnic and religious communities in Singapore on sexuality issues.
The Goals of Sexuality Education are to:
1. Support students in managing their physiological, social and emotional changes as they grow up and develop safe and healthy relationships.
2. Guide students to make wise, informed and responsible decisions on sexuality matters.
3. Help students develop a moral compass and respect for themselves and others by having positive mainstream values and attitudes about sexuality that are premised on the family as the basic unit of society.
The Key Messages of Sexuality Education are:
1. Love and respect yourself as you love and respect others;
2. Build positive relationships based on love and respect (which are the foundation for strong families);
3. Make responsible decisions for yourself, your family and society; and
4. Abstinence before marriage is the best protection against STIs/HIV and unintended pregnancies. Casual sex can harm and hurt you and your loved ones.

You may click here for more information on MOE Sexuality Education.

Overview of NorthLight School’s Sexuality Education Programme for 2026

Sexuality Education is delivered in a holistic manner through the school curriculum. The content for Sexuality Education is grouped into five main themes: Human Development, Interpersonal Relationships, Sexual Health, Sexual Behaviour, and, Culture, Society and Law. You may click here for more information on the scope of Sexuality Education in the school curriculum.
The subjects that incorporate topics on sexuality include:
1. Science
2. Character and Citizenship Education (CCE)
NorthLight's Family Education incorporates MOE's Sexuality Education with:
- Growing Years (GY) Programme:
  - “The Teenage Years (2nd Edition)” (Lower Sec) Teaching & Learning resource package
  - “Sense & Sexuality (2nd Edition)” (Upper Sec) Teaching & Learning resource package

The values and attitudes of our youth towards sexuality are increasingly shaped by their peers, exposure to the media, popular culture and the internet. Adolescence is a complex stage in life as the adolescent attempts to find his or her own identity and often struggles with new social relationships. The period of middle adolescence (generally from 15 – 17 years old) can be a turbulent period for adolescents. The gap between physical and emotional/cognitive maturity may result in a tendency to act on impulse, experiment with various activities (including sexual activities), sometimes without understanding the unpleasant consequences that may arise from such experimentation. The need for peer acceptance can be overwhelmingly strong and hinder one’s ability to act responsibly. Given the pressures faced by the middle adolescent from within themselves and from peers, it is important to build a strong sense of self-worth, personal conviction and an understanding of the possible consequences of sexual behaviour.
Through the "The Teenage Years" and "Sense & Sexuality" packages, students will have the opportunity to develop a positive self-esteem, develop their character, and expand their understanding and repertoire of skills to deal with various issues related to sexuality, which are of prime concern at this age.

The following lessons from the Growing Years Programme will be taught through our Family Education lessons in 2026:

Year 1

Year 1 Growing Years Programme lessons, objectives and duration

Lesson	Duration	Lesson Objectives At the end of the lesson, students will be able to:	Time Period
Lesson 1: Puberty	1 hour	recognise the physical development during puberty in boys and girls recognize the emotional changes at puberty identify ways to cope with their physical & emotional changes	Term 1 or 3
Lesson 2: Personal Hygiene	1 hour	understand the importance of personal hygiene demonstrate the ability to maintain personal hygiene
Lesson 3: The Real Self	1 hour	understand how one’s perception of his body is linked to personal experiences and the sources of information that are taken in understand the influence of media on body image understand that physical features are only one aspect of our person and identity
Lesson 4: Eating Disorders	1 hour	recognise that one’s self-perception is influenced by his perception of his body learn about eating disorders e.g. anorexia, bulimia learn ways to develop healthy/positive perception of one’s body
Lesson 5: Uniquely Me	1 hour	develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of themselves
Lesson 6: Healthy Relationships	1 hour	define what constitute a healthy relationship explain the need to maintain healthy relationships in the family take steps to build healthy relationships with members of the family
Lesson 7: Being Aware Being Safe	1 hour	reflect on the reasons for people to use social networking sites to make friends or to engage their existing friends learn about the dangers of making friends over social networking platforms
Lesson 8: Media Truths & Lies	1 hour	express their views about information from the internet and be aware of the potential/ possible dangers of it recognize that one does not need to rely on the internet, particularly online chat portals, to make friends
Lesson 9: Love vs Infatuation	1 hour	understand that infatuation is temporary and a normal part of growing up appreciate different kinds of love and crushes demonstrate appropriate ways of showing affection towards friends, teachers and other adults
Lesson 10: True Love	1 hour	understand what commitment and true love is
Lesson 11: The Dating Game	1 hour	recognise the importance of developing a friendship before committing to a romantic relationship recognise what dating involves recognize why it is not recommended that we go steady at a young age
Lesson 12: Breaking Up is Not Easy	1 hour	identify why relationships break down identify the emotions that accompany the breakdown of a relationship know healthy ways of coping with rejections and breakups recognise the need to be respectful and responsible in ending a relationship know ways to seek support when going through a breakdown of relationship and offer support for those going through the same
Lesson 13: Temptation	1 hour	recognize the sources of temptation and situations that can lead to pre-marital sex resist pressure to engage in sexual activities
Lesson 14: Responsible Me, Safe Me	1 hour	know what is considered pornographic material on the Internet under the Internet code of practice know what masturbation is understand the unhealthy consequences of excessive masturbation know some ways to cope with the feelings and urge to masturbate
Lesson 15: Must It Be As Expected	1 hour	know the influence of family, culture and society on one’s perception of his gender role understand societal expectations of gender roles recognize that societal expectations should not restrain personal development
Lesson 16: At the Crossroads	1 hour	demonstrate healthy attitudes towards human sexuality accept one’s uniqueness as a male or female define what sexual orientation (heterosexuality and homosexuality) is recognize the need to treat people with respect regardless of their sexual orientation

Year 2

Year 2 Growing Years Programme lessons, objectives and duration

Lesson	Duration	Lesson Objectives At the end of the lesson, students will be able to:	Time Period
Lesson 1: Online Encounters	1 hour	express their views about information from the internet and be aware of the potential/ possible dangers of it	Term 1 or 3
Lesson 2: A Touchy Issue	1 hour	recognise how new media has shaped public perception of acceptability of public display of affection know that certain public displays of affection are not considered appropriate behaviour in our society
Lesson 3: Touching Others	1 hour	develop healthy attitudes towards one’s body recognize acceptable and unacceptable ways of touching others
Lesson 4: Sexual Abuse	1 hour	explain what constitutes a sexual act recognize what sexual abuse is and the different types of sexual abuse know the physiological, psychological and social impact of sexual abuse on the individual recognise the provision of Singapore laws that serves to protect teenagers from sexual perpetrators and persecute those who have committed such crimes identify sources to seek help and support	Term 1 or 3
Lesson 5: Getting To Know you	1 hour	recognize what constitutes responsible dating evaluate if a dating relationship is healthy or unhealthy demonstrate competencies in managing emotions in dating and romantic relationships
Lesson 6: Moving On – Breaking Up	1 hour	explain the process of grief and loss that people experience when a relationship breaks down exercise sensitivity and empathy when communicating break-up recognise that one can emerge stronger after a break-up
Lesson 7: The Morning After	1 hour	distinguish between touching and petting recognize that petting is an act of physical stimulation realise that petting may be perceived differently by different genders take actions to avoid the consequences of arousing one’s physical and emotional desires through petting differentiate what constitutes a sexual act/ sexual relationship distinguish sex as an expression of love between a married couple and sex to satisfy a physical need
Lesson 8: In the Name of the Law	1 hour	understand why pre-marital and underage sex are punishable by law reflect on the legal consequences of sexual behavior and include these considerations in their decision-making pertaining to pornography
Lesson 9: Teenage Pregnancy	1 hour	understand the consequences of teenage pregnancy identify sources to seek help and support from when faced with teenage pregnancy
Lesson 10: Abortion	1 hour	explain the process of abortion recognise the effects of abortion	Term 2 or 4
Lesson 11: Sexual Health	1 hour	explain the need to take responsibility for their sexual health recognise the signs and symptoms of AIDS & STIs and the complications recognise how STIs/STDs can be transmitted
Lesson 12: Sexual Abstinence	1 hour	recognise that respect and responsible decision making are important in relationships recognise the value of sexual abstinence before marriage
Lesson 13: Contraception	1 hour	state the various contraception methods and describe their side effects take steps to protect oneself against the potentially harmful consequences of sexual relationships like STDs and adolescent pregnancy
Lesson 14: Exhibitionism	1 hour	know what exhibitionism is show an awareness that exhibitionism is punishable by law know what to do in the presence of an exhibitionist
Lesson 15: Stranger Danger	1 hour	recognise the danger of meeting online friends, sharing too much personal info online be aware of the physical boundaries with the adults they know learn about sexting, sexual grooming, love scams e.g. sextortion

Year 3

Year 3 Growing Years Programme lessons, objectives and duration

Lesson	Duration	Lesson Objectives At the end of the lesson, students will be able to:	Time Period
Lesson 1: Marriage	1 hour	define what cohabitation is and evaluate the consequences of cohabitation recognize that commitment is a necessary ingredient for success in a marriage identify responsibilities involved and the challenges faced in a marriage evaluate the consequences of divorce on the family members	Term 2 or 4
Lesson 2: Love Conquers All	1 hour	reflect on the qualities of a healthy romantic relationship
Lesson 3: Family	1 hour	distinguish differences in family types and the structural roles of family members understand that each family performs the same basic functions of providing love, protection, guidance and support
Lesson 4: eTeens Lesson 1 – Decision Making	1 hour	understand there are consequences in any decision one makes regarding sexual intercourse understand that one needs correct and accurate information to make the right decisions regarding one’s sexual health learn to make decision that will reduce the risk to their sexual health
Lesson 5: eTeens Lesson 2 – Assertiveness	1 hour	understand what assertive behaviour is practise responding to persuasion assertively
Lesson 6: eTeens Lesson 3 – Negotiation	1 hour	practise negotiating one’s way out of a negative situation
Lesson 7: eTeens Lesson 4 – Is It Safe	1 hour	learn risk reduction for STIs/HIV and assess situations to aid the control of impulses in sexual behaviour
Lesson 8: Online Self-Disclosure	1 hour	recognize the potential/ possible dangers of online self-disclosure

Year 4

Year 4 Growing Years Programme lessons, objectives and duration

Lesson	Duration	Lesson Objectives At the end of the lesson, students will be able to:	Time Period
Lesson 1: Being Safe	1 hour	learn about stranger danger, and the pros & cons of making friends over social networking platforms recognise the inappropriate touch from ‘familiar’ adults and about ‘crossing boundaries’	Term 1 & 2 or 3
Lesson 2: Respecting Others	1 hour	learn what sexual expletives really mean learn that hurling vulagarites, calling names or labelling others inappropriately as gay, lesbian, isolating others based on appearance or behaviour traits are acts of discrimination and bullying
Lesson 3: PorNOgraphy	1 hour	recognise how how peer pressure can influence decision-making learn how to resist peer pressure and temptations to watch porn or commit sexual acts
Lesson 4: The Dating Game	1 hour	evaluate one’s readiness for a romantic relationship, leading to marriage recognise that intimacy in a relationship need not be limited to physical intimacy recognise that break ups can allow one to understand oneself better
Lesson 5: Family	1 hour	recognize and the importance of not stereotyping according to gender in the family learn about imperfections in family and how to accept differences and get along with family members

The following lessons from the Sexuality Education Programme will be taught through our Family Education lessons in 2026:

Year 1 Family Education Lessons

Unit	Lesson Title / Duration	Lesson Overview	Lesson Objectives At the end of the lesson, students will be able to:	Time Period
Respectful Relationships & Safety	Steady or Not Lesson 1 (60 mins)	This lesson helps students understand more about relationship building and the different types of love (e.g. familial, platonic, romantic). They will have the opportunity to better understand the considerations involved in making responsible decisions towards dating and romantic relationships and understand how to build healthy and supportive relationships, both online and offline.	Recognise the importance of monitoring and managing our emotional reactions, in helpful ways that are reflective of our values and principles Recognise that there are different forms of love (e.g. familial, platonic, romantic love) Recognise the importance and understand what builds healthy and supportive relationships, both online and offline Understand what dating is, and recognise that the readiness and interest in dating vary among individuals	Term 1 or Term 3
	Being Aware, Being Safe Lesson 2 (60 mins)	This lesson focuses on helping students to be safe from the dangers of sexual grooming and on respecting one’s right to safety. Students will also learn about the legal provisions against sexual abuse, and the impact of sexual abuse on victims, including the psychological impact on the sense of self. This lesson is conducted separately for boys and girls in different classrooms, so that the students will feel more comfortable during the discussions.	Understand that physical and psychological abuse from others, especially those we know and trust, can have strong negative effects on a person's self-concept	Term 1 or Term 3
	More than Meets the Eye Lesson 3 (60 mins)	This lesson touches on two areas relevant to an adolescent’s curiosity on matters related to sexuality – masturbation and pornography. Students will gain awareness of the health, legal and moral issues related to viewing, downloading and/or distributing pornography. While students may perceive watching pornography as a private issue without consequences to bear, they will learn that it could lead to addiction and/or other risky sexual behaviours. This lesson is conducted separately for boys and girls in different classrooms, so that the students will feel more comfortable during the discussions.	understand and accept that as we work towards becoming our best self, there will be times when we make mistakes, and recognise the importance of exercising moral courage in facing up to consequences recognise that there are moral and legal consequences of risky sexual behaviours, pornography access and acting irresponsibly or maliciously when online (e.g. spreading of online falsehoods, flouting copyright laws, etc.)	Term 1 or Term 3

Year 2 Family Education Lessons

Unit	Lesson Title / Duration	Lesson Overview	Lesson Objectives At the end of the lesson, students will be able to:	Time Period
Respectful Relationships & Safety	A Role for Everyone Lesson 1 (60 mins)	This lesson focus on how the family, culture and society can influence one’s perception of their gender roles. Students will learn what gender stereotypes are (e.g. males traditionally as breadwinners and females traditionally as doing household chores) and how gender stereotypes are formed. Students will discuss how one’s understanding of gender roles should not be limited by gender stereotypes, for example women can be pilots, while men can be nurses. Students learn to focus on their personal strengths to pursue their interests and build their self- confidence. Students will also learn about the definitions of biological sex, gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation. They will learn to treat everyone with respect and empathy.	know that one’s understanding of gender roles should not be limited by gender stereotypes develop an appreciation of one’s own unique qualities and characteristics as a male or female understand what sexual orientation entails	Term 2 or Term 4
	Online Safety Challenge Lesson 2A (60 mins)	This lesson focuses on the issue of online grooming and cyber-flashing. It emphasises the need for help-seeking, peer support and positive peer influence. The lesson encourages the safe and responsible use of social media, and aims to deepen students’ conviction, and extend a call to action to students to taking appropriate decisions to safeguard their well-being and safety. This lesson is conducted separately for boys and girls in different classrooms, so that the students will feel more comfortable during the discussions.	recognise one’s vulnerability to risky situations and the importance of exercising discretion to reduce risks and avoid negative consequences, both online and offline	Term 2 or Term 4
	Do I or Don’t I Lesson 2B (60 mins)	This lesson focuses on respect for personal boundaries; and how to be safe from risky sexual behaviour, teenage pregnancy and abortion. Students will learn the importance of respecting one another’s boundaries in relationships. This lesson emphasises the importance of responsible decision-making, the value of sexual abstinence, the need for help seeking. Students will be aware of Singapore laws protecting minors, such as the legal consequences of having sex with a minor, abortion and the abandonment of babies.	recognise the importance of self-respect and respect for others in relating to members of the opposite sex recognise one’s vulnerability to risky situations and the importance of exercising discretion to reduce risks and avoid negative consequences, both offline and online	Term 2 or Term 4

Year 3 Family Education Lessons

Unit	Lesson Title / Duration	Lesson Overview	Lesson Objectives At the end of the lesson, students will be able to:	Time Period
Respectful Relationships & Safety	Love Yourself, Love Others Lesson 1A (60 mins)	This lesson focuses on dating respectfully in healthy relationships. Students will learn about self-esteem, their sources of influence (e.g. friends’ perception) on self-esteem, the impact of one’s self-esteem on our mental well-being as well as relationships with others. Students will also learn how emotional reactions can affect relationships positively or negatively. Students will also learn that maturity and readiness are important when entering into a dating relationship.	know that self-perception and identity have an impact on our self-esteem and how we interact with others and the choices we make, both online and offline understand that expectations of oneself and others may differ and can affect one’s emotions, thoughts and behaviours recognise what healthy dating relationships involve and know that readiness is important when entering into a dating relationship	Term 1 or Term 3
	Mending a Broken Heart Lesson 1B (60 mins)	Students will learn how to manage their emotions if they were to face a breakup and know that relationship-building involves personal emotions and vulnerabilities, and changes and challenges. Students will also learn that a decision to end a relationship will have consequences on oneself and others, and that grief and loss due to rejections and broken relationships is normal and that one can recover from the experience. They will learn that there are healthy ways of coping with breakdowns in relationships and that family and friends are important pillars of support.	know that relationship-building involves personal emotions and vulnerabilities, and changes and challenges know that a decision to end a relationship will have consequences on oneself and others know that grief and loss due to rejections and broken relationships is normal and one can recover from the experience know there are healthy ways of coping with broken relationships, and family and friends are important pillars of support	Term 1 or Term 3
	When Respect Takes Centre Stage Lesson 2 (60 mins)	This lesson aims to help students think critically and make informed decisions in the contexts of sexting and voyeurism, and encourages students to exert a positive influence as a respectful online user. It will also deepen students’ convictions about making moral decisions by taking into consideration the impact of their decisions and actions on their well-being and safety, their loved ones, and the community. Students learn that they have a right and responsibility to be safe and protect their personal space and body. They also learn that sexting, voyeurism and other related sexual offences are never justifiable and they can seek help in times of need.	recognise the importance of being informed of social and moral issues of the day and the need to reflect on these issues, and weigh them against our own moral standpoints as we form our perspectives about them understand that we strengthen our character when we commit to sound values-based viewpoints (e.g. respect for life) and decisions, and speak and act in alignment with our beliefs	Term 1 or Term 3

Year 4 Family Education Lessons

Unit	Lesson Title / Duration	Lesson Overview	Lesson Objectives At the end of the lesson, students will be able to:	Time Period
Respectful Relationships & Safety	Levelling the Ground Lesson 1 (60 mins)	This lesson aims to help students think critically about gender stereotypes that exist in our society in the contexts of career and family (e.g. males typically perceived as main breadwinners and females typically perceived as main caregivers in the family), and the impact of these stereotypes on individuals. Students will learn to be aware of possible gender stereotypes that may affect one’s family and future decisions. They will also learn to reframe their perspectives and not judge others based on their own or others’ values and principles, with regard to gender stereotypes.	understand what gender stereotypes comprise, e.g. notions of masculinity and femininity vary over time and space, and are shaped by societal expectations know that imposing gender stereotypes on oneself and others can limit one’s experiences, cause harm to the self-esteem of oneself and others and should be avoided	Term 1 or Term 3
	When Love Hurts Lesson 2 (60 mins)	This lesson aims to help students recognise unhealthy relationships and build their help-seeking skills. Students will learn to identify potential signs of an unhealthy relationship and recognise the different forms of dating violence. They will get to understand why dating violence occurs, why victims often feel “trapped” in such unhealthy relationships, and how one can get out of such a relationship safely. Students will learn when, where and how to seek help from trusted adults (e.g. family, teachers, school counsellors) in the supportive environment that they have if they or their friends are involved in an unhealthy relationship.	know there are healthy ways of coping with broken relationships, and family and friends are important pillars of support recognise emotions caused by traumatic situations, e.g. bullying, abuse and dating violence, and understand the physiological and psychological, social impact on victims understand that we need moral courage and wisdom to recognise and end relationships that are unhealthy and cause harm to our mental and emotional well-being understand the importance of ensuring that non-verbal messages match with verbal ones, when communicating personal and emotional boundaries in a relationship	Term 1 or Term 3
	For Better or For Worse Lesson 3 (60 mins)	This lesson focuses on building a positive relationship with one’s partner in a marriage. Students will understand that while a marriage, defined in Singapore as a union between a man and a woman, requires mutual commitment and effort like the other relationships in their lives, what sets a marriage apart is its lifelong commitment. Students will learn that what really matters in sustaining and maintaining a long-term romantic relationship that leads to marriage, is understanding the other person’s perspective and effectively communicating with each other.	know that long-term romantic relationships leading to marriage involve understanding oneself and others in the intellectual, emotional, social and moral dimensions know that marriage entails a union between a man and a woman based on love, trust, commitment, and requires mutual effort understand that conflicts are normal in any relationship, including marriage, and the way in which a couple handles conflict is critical to the success of their marriage	Term 1 or Term 3
	There's Always More to a Story Lesson 4 (60 mins)	In this lesson, students will revisit the impact of pornography and deepen their understanding on its impact on relationships. Students will also learn about revenge pornography, including its definition and legal provisions. They will also learn that they can turn to trusted adults for help in setting boundaries and overcoming difficulties in making sound decisions, to prevent themselves from encountering danger.	understand that we strengthen our character when we commit to sound values-based viewpoints (e.g. respect for life) and decisions, and speak and act in alignment with our beliefs	Term 1 or Term 3

eTeens Programme:

eTeens is a programme that was developed by Health Promotion Board, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, to provide Secondary 3 students with accurate information on STIs, HIV and protection from a health perspective. With the formation of the Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA) on 1 April 2025, the programme would now be managed by CDA’s Training and Education Division instead of HPB. eTeens is conducted in two segments – a mass talk segment and a classroom-based programme. The desired outcome of the eTeens programme is that students are empowered to make wise, informed and sensible decisions to protect themselves from sexually transmitted infectious diseases.
Students are taught skills such as decision-making, assertiveness and negotiation to say “no” to sex and negative peer pressure. They also learn that the impact of STIs/HIV extends beyond themselves and involves their family, and the importance of responsible decision-making and seeking help. Abstinence and upholding family values are the key messages.

At NorthLight School, the eTeens programme will be implemented as follows in 2026:

eTeens mass talk learning objectives and schedule

Topics/Lessons	Programme Learning Objectives	Time Period
Mass Talk delivered through a pre-recorded video	Raise awareness and provide knowledge on: Sexually transmitted infectious diseases (STIs and HIV): what it is, how it spreads, how to prevent infection mainly through ABC (abstinence, being faithful, correct, and consistent condom use), consequences and impact Skills for respecting boundaries (e.g. decision-making, assertiveness, negotiation to say ‘no’ to peer pressure) Managing relationships and risky situations in a healthy way, including avenues for help-seeking.	Term 3

Information for Parents

View the Principal's Letter regarding our Family Education Programme here [PDF, 217.88 KB]
Parents may opt their children out of the Sexuality Education lessons, eTeens and/or supplementary sexuality education programmes by MOE-approved external providers.
Parents who wish to opt their children out of the Sexuality Education lessons need to complete an opt-out form. This form will be communicated to parents at the start of the year. The completed form is to be submitted by 30/01/2026.
Parents who wish to opt their children out of the eTeens programme need to complete an opt-out form. This form will be communicated to parents at the start of the year. The completed form is to be submitted by 30/01/2026.
Parents can contact the school at 69296290, or nls@moe.edu.sg for discussion or to seek clarification about the school’s Sexuality Education programme.