After a long wait, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has finally decided to impart sex education to municipal students. From this year, students of Class 9 will be given information about sexual matters in civic schools as part of their curriculum.

According to civic officials, the BMC will conduct the sex education course in co-ordination with the medical officer (schools) and the Mumbai District AIDS Control Society (MDACS). The medical officers, who have been trained accordingly, will educate boys and girls in this regard.

“In this course, information about physical and psychological changes experienced during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, reproduction system and family planning will be given to students. In addition to this, they will also be informed about how to identify sexual molestation, how to avoid it and whom to contact. In the life skills session, students will be taught about positive thinking, decision making and striking a conversation,” said a senior civic official.

The demand to provide sex education in municipal schools has been long-pending. The decision was finally taken over the notice of motion made by Shiv Sena corporator Sheetal Mhatre from Dahisar. She had demanded that the BMC should implement a scheme in which municipal students in the age group of 12 to 19 is given sex education from health counsellors and experts.

“There has been rise in health-related problems in the city. It has also been found that the proportion of abortion in minor girls is increasing in the city. If they are taught about changes during puberty, there will be a positive change in this regard,” she said.

Civic officials said, the BMC was providing education about menstruation and AIDS control in 2005. However, it was discontinued later due to several reasons.