Reported cases of girls aged 14 and below having sex

Number of teenage births

Number of teenagers diagnosed with sexually transmitted infections

Sources: Singapore Police Force, Registry of Births and Deaths, Immigration and [...]]]>

Source: The Sunday Times Lifestyle, Page 10, 28 Mar 2010

Reported cases of girls aged 14 and below having sex

• 2009: 83
• 2008: 61
• 2007: 57
• 2006: 38
• 2005: 33

Number of teenage births

• 2008: 816
• 2007: 820
• 2006: 838
• 2005: 853
• 2004: 781

Number of teenagers diagnosed with sexually transmitted infections

• 2008: 787
• 2007: 820
• 2006: 775
• 2005: 678
• 2004: 653
• 2003: 368
• 2002: 238

Sources: Singapore Police Force, Registry of Births and Deaths, Immigration and Checkpoints Authority, Department of Sexually Transmitted Infections Control

Article by Jonathan Liautrakul

The disappointment stayed with me throughout my next three years at Millennia Institute, as I struggled to downshift to the slower pace and lackadaisical attitudes of my peers. I missed the motivation that had spurred me to achieve.

With the help of teachers and friends, I [...]]]>

Source: The Straits Times Page B10, 9 Nov 2009

Article by Jonathan Liautrakul

The disappointment stayed with me throughout my next three years at Millennia Institute, as I struggled to downshift to the slower pace and lackadaisical attitudes of my peers. I missed the motivation that had spurred me to achieve.

With the help of teachers and friends, I was one of the lucky few from my cohort to make it to university.

A novel targeting secondary students and set in a Singapore secondary school has been launched. Entitled Mystery of the Battle Box, the novel is about three schoolmates — two of whom are cousins — teaming up to solve a mystery about hidden treasure in an underground bunker which was built during World War Two.

The teenagers stumble [...]]]>

A novel targeting secondary students and set in a Singapore secondary school has been launched. Entitled Mystery of the Battle Box, the novel is about three schoolmates — two of whom are cousins — teaming up to solve a mystery about hidden treasure in an underground bunker which was built during World War Two.

The teenagers stumble into a secret tunnel beneath the bunker with help from two spirits — a British and an Australian — haunting the bunker since World War Two.

The 290-page work is a first novel by its author Raymond Han — a former banker and a teacher. Find out more HERE!

BOOK DETAILS:

ISBN: 978-981-08-4189-8 Date Published: 5 October 2009

Related Categories: Fiction / Mystery & Detective / Historical

But, some students may not get to return to school after this [...]]]>

We are already more than a month into the end-year school holidays. In three weeks’ time, the new school year will start and students will return to school life once again – it’s a cycle that is being taken for granted by many students.

But, some students may not get to return to school after this holiday season. In fact, some not only drop out of the school cycle, but also out of life itself. Sad, isn’t it?

Last Friday, a 14-year-old boy went about his holiday routine – having fun – but I am sure it never crossed his mind that he would not wake up to see another day on this good earth. Harry CHAU, from 2A1 at Montfort Secondary School, died after attempting a bicycle stunt in a practice session at the Asia Xtour event held at Ngee Ann City’s Civic Plaza.

When school reopens at Montfort next January, I know that many of his classmates, as well as schoolmates, will miss having him around. So will I, when I return to relief teaching at Montfort in the new year.

It saddens me every time I hear of a young person struck down in his prime – never getting to taste going to university, doing national service, becoming a spouse and a parent, and growing old. It brings to mind some saying in a book – The Gift of Age – I reviewed recently. In it, local celebrity David Kraal said, “To all you young ones who have no time for the old, I say, ‘Don’t pity us, the grandfathers and grandmothers of this world. In fact, I pity you – because you have to wait so long to taste the fullness and the extreme happiness that comes with being a grandparent.’

Well, Harry CHAU will never get the chance to grow old and to taste that fullness and extreme happiness that comes with being a grandparent – something the gift of age bestows.

I have always made it a point to tell my students, just before a holiday period, to have fun, but make sure they come back after the holidays – in other words, do safe things during the holidays. And my students, whether they be in Sec 1, 2, 3 or 4, will flash me that impish grin. I guess when I return to school next year, these young chaps will reflect silently the next time I dish out such advice.

My condolences go out to Harry’s family. It is said that when young people die, their souls are reincarnated very quickly. If that is true, then Harry is on his way to a new life. Good Luck Harry!

Under the Termination of Pregnancy Act 1974, youths aged 13 to 21 do not need to get their parents’ consent for an abortion. Last year, there were calls for the TOP [...]]]>

Every once in a while we get an e-mail from teenagers requesting information on matters relating to abortion. We just received another one last evening

Under the Termination of Pregnancy Act 1974, youths aged 13 to 21 do not need to get their parents’ consent for an abortion. Last year, there were calls for the TOP Act to be amended to require such consent, but Health Minister LIM Hng Kiang in October 2000 reaffirmed that teenage girls did not need their parents’ consent under the law and this law was not going to change. Mr LIM added that if parental consent was made compulsory, some girls might even resort to suicide.

Anyone – minor or adult – can go for an abortion. She just needs to get an approved medical practitioner to do the abortion. She also needs to give her written consent to the doctor.

More than 2000 teenage girls, some as young as 13, had abortions in 1999. Unmarried girls below 16 years of age who seek an abortion have to undergo a structured abortion counselling session at the School Health Service conducted by trained nurses and medical social workers.

The counselling aims to educate them on issues, such as responsible love, sexual behaviour and contraceptive methods, as well as look into psychosocial reasons which may predispose these girls towards sexual relationships and advise them on the social support available to prevent repeat pregnancies.

During such counselling sessions, other options, such as carrying the foetus to term, are also discussed. The girls are encouraged to confide in their parents and the counsellors help them come to terms with this and find a way to do so.

For more information, click HERE!