DepEd: Sex education not all about sex

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Education assured the public yesterday that classroom discussions on sex education would not be about the sex act but about the science of reproduction, physical care and hygiene, correct values and the norms of interpersonal relations to avoid premarital sex and teenage pregnancy.

Education Secretary Mona Valisno said the contents of the reproductive health lesson modules that will be integrated in core subjects are scientific, informative and are not designed to titillate prurient interest.

“For example in science, the reproductive system and reproductive cycle have always been part of the curriculum, including the changes that happen during puberty,” Valisno said.

“Our role here is to educate our young people on issues that directly affect them and empower them to make informed choices and decisions,” she added.

The sex education modules will be pilot-tested starting this school year in 79 public secondary schools and 80 elementary schools across the country.

Valisno said sex education will be integrated in science, Edukasyong Pantahanan at Pangkabuhayan (EPP), health, Heograpiya, Kasaysayan at Sibika, and mathematics. Under science, the teacher will discuss the reproductive system, parts of the body, reproductive cycle, and puberty.

EPP will integrate proper behavior among and between peers of different genders. The health component of MAPEH (Music, Arts, PE and Health) covers personal hygiene and reproductive heath.

Valisno said sex education will be taught in the social studies component of Heograpiya, Kasaysayan at Sibika, focusing on the position of religion on premarital sex and the norms when people of opposite sex interact. 

In mathematics, students will use data on issues like premarital sex, teenage pregnancy, and sexually transmitted infections in their mathematical analysis and exercises in statistics.

“Among those who prepared the modules are psychologists because we want to ensure that specific topics for discussions will be made in the appropriate year levels,” Valisno said.

Topics requiring a more mature audience are discussed in the latter years of high school. Two batches of teachers who will be using the modules have already been trained. A third batch is being prepared for training this year.

“We are still open for consultations,” Valisno said. “The next administration will be the one to decide whether to implement this fully, revise the modules, apply in selected schools or totally scrap it.”