Birds, bees and the big question

In the Indian education system, sex education isn't the only subject with gaps. Far too many Indians are functionally illiterate, and far too many drop out during middle school

When schools in Bengaluru inspected students’ bags for cellphones, they discovered many Class X students also carried contraceptive pills and condoms. This suggests remarkable good sense on their part. Yes, underage sex is illegal. But if minors are going to indulge in sex, it’s better by far that it’s safe sex. 

Social studies from other parts of the world indicate teenage pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases are higher where sex education isn’t a part of the syllabus. Sex education isn’t mandatory in India, and most schools avoid putting it on the curriculum. Most Indian parents would sooner run a marathon than