Course on sex education triggers criticism from alumni, faculty in Coimbatore college

Kongunadu Arts and Science College faces objections over introducing SOGIESC Studies as an elective course from 2024-25.

Alumni members and a section of faculty of Kongunadu Arts and Science College, Coimbatore, have raised objections to inclusion of an elective titled SOGIESC (SOGIESC – Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Gender Expression and Sex Characteristics) Studies replacing ‘Women’s rights’ in the list of non-major electives, from 2024-25.

The college is learnt to be looking forward to getting the approval of the Boards of Studies later this week, under government-aided and self-financing streams.

The alumni have reasoned out that any paper related to (or) that focusses on sex education needs to be introduced very cautiously and after ensuring the dire need and necessity of the same as the contents of the paper may have serious consequences/impacts on the young minds.

SOGIESC Studies refers to LGBTQIA+ Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex and many other forms such as asexual, non-binary and pansexual.

UGC / Higher Education Departments of State and Central Governments including TASNSCHE/ Bharathiar University have not prescribed and made mandatory these type of LGBTQ+ contents to be taught to the students, the alumni and the faculty have said in separate representations to the college management.

They have sought intervention by Bharathiar University.

Responding to the objections, College Principal M. Lekeshmanaswamy said the course was proposed in the Curriculum Development Committee meeting on January 23, 2023, with acceptance of all HODs.