In Kelantan, whispers have given way to questions and conversations, and these dialogues have become life-saving lessons. Gone are the days when talk of bodies, consent and safety stayed locked behind closed doors.
In conservative Kelantan, a once-taboo lesson is now finding its place in the open. Spearheaded by the Reproductive Health Association of Kelantan (ReHAK) in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and a network of bold teachers and parents, children are learning what every child should know: how to guard their bodies, trust their instincts and say no when it matters most.
A Simple Mannequin, A Powerful Lesson
It’s mid-morning at SK Kandis, a primary school tucked in Kelantan’s Bachok district. Instead of the usual Physical Education routine, children sit in neat rows, eyes on Cikgu Rohani binti Rajab as she gestures to the child-sized mannequin at the front of the class.
“Red card? Bad touch.”
“Green card? Good touch.”
This hands-on exercise might look simple, but its impact runs deep in a state grappling with stark numbers. In 2024, the Royal Malaysia Police recorded 252 rape and incest cases involving children and adolescents in Kelantan, up from 206 the year before, a 22.3% jump in just one year[1].
For Tengku Nur Fadzilah Tengku Hassan, ReHAK’s State Manager, these are not just statistics, they represent real children and families who need knowledge and protection.
Students and parents alike must be equipped with the guidance, facts and practical skills to make positive choices and defend themselves from misconduct, exploitation and violence. – Tengku Nur Fadzilah Tengku Hassan, State Manager at ReHAK
From Family Planning to Real Prevention
ReHAK’s story goes back more than six decades, first as the Kelantan Family Planning Association in 1957, then rebranded in 2008 as ReHAK. The turning point came in 1994, when Malaysia expanded sexuality education to primary schools as part of the Health Education Curriculum, inspired by a global shift at the International Conference on Population and Development in Cairo that same year.
Yet for decades, this vital subject stayed hidden in the shadows, overshadowed by mainstream subjects, squeezed into short 30-minute slots, or brushed aside altogether when parents raised objections.
Teachers lacked resources, time, and confidence, plus the stigma from the community made it even harder. That’s why we focused on strengthening teachers first… they’re the trusted adults closest to students. – Tengku Nur Fadzilah Tengku Hassan, State Manager at ReHAK
It was two courageous teachers, Cikgu Rohani and Cikgu Yusliza binti Kamarudin, who helped turn vision into action – co-developing the very programme that’s now giving teachers the tools to speak up, and students the power to understand.
Support That Is More Than Money
The effort needed more than passion – it needed funding, structure, and accountability. That’s where Yayasan Hasanah stepped in with its Hasanah Special Grant, supported by the Ministry of Finance, helping ReHAK launch the pilot Strengthening Teachers’ Capacity on Delivering Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) project across 53 schools in Bachok in 2023.
Today, thanks to this support, the programme has expanded to Pasir Mas for another two years, with additional workshops for parents and community leaders.
We hope that the programme will contribute to a safer community and support children’s development in their daily lives. – Annuar Jaafar, Senior Manager (Grant), Education, Yayasan Hasanah
Hasanah’s role goes far beyond funding; they also ensure careful monitoring, evaluation and improvement every step of the way.
Yayasan Hasanah support is important. They also helped us monitor and evaluate the project in a structured way, which is crucial for measuring its impact, identifying what works, and making improvements as we go. – Tengku Nur Fadzilah Tengku Hassan, State Manager at ReHAK
A Curriculum Rooted in Local Realities
The lesson plans are shaped with careful thought and deep respect for local norms. Lessons on bodily autonomy, puberty, consent, healthy relationships and children’s rights are taught using age-appropriate language – sometimes in Bahasa Malaysia, English, and often in the local Kelantanese dialect.
We emphasise that the programme is not about teaching kids how to have sex. It’s about guiding them to make positive choices, understand consequences and avoid risky behaviour. The content aligns with religious, cultural and customary values, because if we didn’t do that, parents wouldn’t trust us – Tengku Nur Fadzilah Tengku Hassan, State Manager at ReHAK
This trust is paying off. In the next phase in Pasir Mas, ReHAK is rolling out workshops for parents so they, too, have the words, tools and confidence to continue these conversations at home.
When Parents Become Partners
At the heart of this movement are parents who once felt uneasy but now feel empowered. For Nor Arina binti Mustafa, a mother and active PTA committee member, the change was deeply personal.
The awareness and information given during the programme really helped, especially in creating two-way communication with my child. Now my child knows exactly who to talk to if they ever need to share something. – Nor Arina binti Mustafa
Conversations that once felt awkward about puberty, consent, and online safety have become part of everyday family life.
I feel very confident now. More open to talking about these topics. Before, we avoided it. Now, I even share what I learned from the programme with family and friends and highlight the incest cases and the social issues that are happening. – Nor Arina binti Mustafa
A Ripple Effect: Mosques, Schools, Communities
Slowly but surely, the once-taboo subject is crossing classroom walls into the wider community. ReHAK now gets invitations not just from schools, but from mosque committees and neighbourhood leaders eager to host awareness sessions for youth and parents alike.
The programme’s approach, respectful of Islamic values, rooted in real local data has even caught the attention of Kelantan’s Education Department (JPN) and District Education Offices (PPD). Together, they are exploring ways to make reproductive and social health education more visible, not as an afterthought, but as a critical life skill.
We often invite community and religious leaders to our dialogues. When they see the local data, the real stories – many change their minds. They see that the programme is about protecting children from abuse and exploitation. It’s about keeping them safe. – Tengku Nur Fadzilah Tengku Hassan, State Manager at ReHAK
Looking Ahead Towards A Safer Tomorrow
There’s still work to do. Teachers want longer lessons. Communities want more sessions. ReHAK wants to take the programme beyond Bachok and Pasir Mas, planting seeds in other districts and even other states.
For now, each mannequin, each red or green card, each question asked without fear, is proof that change is possible.
Behind it all is a coalition of bold teachers, brave parents, a supportive community, and funding partners who believe every child deserves the tools to grow up safe, informed and respected.
Change doesn’t happen overnight, but when children understand their rights, when parents talk openly, when teachers feel equipped – that’s when we break cycles. That’s how we build a generation who knows their worth. – Tengku Nur Fadzilah Tengku Hassan, State Manager at ReHAK
In Kelantan, a state often framed by conservatism, that’s no small feat. And it all begins with one simple lesson: your body is yours, and you have the right to protect it.
Explore Our Sources:
- Astro Awani. 9 April 2025. Rape and incest reports surge 22 per cent in Kelantan – police. Link.
