Reproductive Health Education set for Grades 5-12

MANILA, Philippines — Education Secretary Sonny Angara has issued a new policy mandating the implementation of Reproductive Health Education (RHE) in schools amid the rising cases of human immunodeficiency virus  and teenage pregnancies in the country.

Angara yesterday signed DepEd Order 25, which adopts the Policy on the Implementation of Reproductive Health Education for Adolescent Learners in Basic Education.

The order repeals DepEd Order 31, series of 2018, which previously laid out the guidelines for Comprehensive Sexuality Education.

DepEd said the new framework aligns with the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Law of 2012 (RA 10354) and will provide age and developmentally appropriate lessons to adolescent learners, taught by adequately trained teachers in both formal and non-formal education systems.

The policy will cover students from Grades 5 to 12 (ages 10 to 19) in all public schools and Community Learning Centers. Private schools may adopt the provisions in developing their own RHE programs, subject to existing laws and regulations.

Citing data from the Philippine Statistics Authority, Angara noted the increasing cases of adolescent pregnancies, HIV infections, sexually transmitted diseases and gender-based violence among the youth.

“This trend underscores the urgent need to strengthen and institutionalize a comprehensive policy framework on RHE,” said Angara.

Under the guidelines, reproductive health education may be integrated into subjects such as MAPEH (Physical Education and Health), Science, GMRC and Values Education, Araling Panlipunan and Life and Career Skills.

Topics to be covered include values formation; physical, social and emotional changes in adolescence; prevention of discrimination; protection against sexual abuse and gender-based violence; responsible teenage behavior; teen pregnancy; women and children’s rights; gender and development and responsible parenthood.

Classroom pledges

Alongside reforms in health education, Angara also reported progress in addressing classroom shortages.

Angara yesterday said DepEd has secured more than P458 million in private sector commitments, which are expected to fund at least 84 new classrooms and other facilities as part of efforts to close the 165,000 classroom gap.

In the last 18 months, DepEd has built 6,237 classrooms, repaired over 10,800 and restored 67 Gabaldon heritage schools.

To further speed up infrastructure projects, Angara revealed that DepEd is exploring a policy shift allowing LGUs to directly participate in classroom construction, ending the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)’s exclusive role as the agency faces allegations of ghost and substandard flood-control projects.

“Every classroom we add brings hope and opportunity to learners. But delays in construction mean children wait longer than they should. That is why we are looking for ways to build faster and smarter, with partners who are closest to the ground,” Angara said.

DepEd will seek flexibility in the 2026 General Appropriations Act so that LGUs and partners can play a more direct role.

Angara, however, clarified that the DPWH’s involvement will remain an option where needed.

“Our goal is simple: every Filipino child deserves a safe and decent classroom. We may not get there overnight, but by working together and exploring new ways forward, we can move closer to that future,” he said.

Other problems

Aside from the classroom backlog, Angara said the education sector continues to face other pressing problems such as bullying, overburdened teachers and principals, low learner achievement and the weak link between education and employability.

During his presentation before the House committee on appropriations on the proposed 2026 P928.5-billion budget of the DepEd, Angara cited the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) report and revealed that 43 percent of Grade 10 females and 53 percent of males encounter bullying monthly.

On academic performance, PISA data revealed that 72 percent of Filipino learners were considered low achievers and that there was a clear gap between a high school diploma and employability.

To address these concerns, DepEd has partnered with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority to integrate technical-vocational education and training into the senior high school curriculum, which is being piloted in 890 schools.

“We are empowering our graduates by integrating technical-vocational training, leading to 170,909 certified learners and making them eligible for government employment right after graduation,” Angara noted.

The department has also rolled out a revised K-10 curriculum and caught up on textbook procurement, acquiring 46 of 61 targeted titles since June 2022.

Angara said DepEd is seeking additional funding support for reforms aligned with President Marcos’ call in his recent SONA to improve learning outcomes.

This includes P4.87 billion for the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning Law’s full implementation, P9.7 billion for 5,000 new project development officer items and teacher overtime pay, P3.8 billion for ARAL tutor training and National Educators’ Academy of the Philippines improvements and P6.7 billion for expanded school feeding, vouchers, teacher salary subsidies, mental health, youth formation and the Palarong Pambansa.

“At the heart of this request is improving learning outcomes and ensuring every learner thrives,” he said.

Six demands

While DepEd pressed lawmakers for more funding, teachers marked the opening of National Teachers’ Month with protests outside the House of Representatives.

The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) Philippines carried flotation devices to dramatize their six-point World Teachers’ Day demands to “save education from sinking deeper into crisis.”

ACT chairman Vladimer Quetua said current pay levels for teachers and support staff are “inhumane” that it drives many teachers to overwork, juggle side jobs or leave the profession altogether, which eventually undermines the country’s education quality.

ACT’s demands, according to Quetua, center on six urgent calls, including substantial salary hike for teachers and education workers; doubling the education budget; improved benefits and retirement security; a nationalist, scientific, mass-oriented curriculum; accountability from the Marcos administration for corruption and neglect and protection of teachers’ democratic rights.

“The proposed 2026 education budget under the Marcos Jr. administration carries no intent to solve the long-running backlogs in the sector, around 165,000 classrooms, 150,000 teachers, at least 144,000 education support personnel and millions of textbooks and other teaching and learning materials,” Quetua said.

“Instead of directly addressing these shortages, the bulk of government spending is still funneled toward debt servicing and corruption-ridden infrastructure projects,” he added.

Quetua stressed that their demonstrations would not stop, with activities lined up for the entire National Teachers’ Month until World Teachers’ Day on Oct. 5.