TACLOBAN CITY-The implementation of Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) in Philippine schools has sparked ongoing debates among parents, church leaders, advocacy groups, and government agencies. While the Department of Education (DepEd) maintains that the program aims to teach students about responsible sexual behavior, gender identity, and protection from sexual violence, critics argue that discussions on sexuality should primarily be handled within the family.
For Cynthia Agner, a 46-year-old mother and public school teacher, the sensitive nature of the subject makes it a family responsibility rather than a school matter.
“I am not in favor of this sensitive issue being discussed first by people outside the family. There should be a collaborative effort between the family, health sector, and the government,” Agner told Leyte Samar Daily Express.
Similarly, Jing Rey Henderson, a mother and church worker, believes that parents should be the first educators when it comes to sexuality.
“Basic education on gender identity and sex should be handled first by parents. Even if it is for academic purposes, teachers should not take on this responsibility,” she argued.
Henderson also criticized the current implementation of CSE in schools, claiming that some teachers rely too much on modules, allowing students to interpret topics like virginity and safe sex on their own.
“This should not be. You don’t discuss sex in public unless we are adults,” she added.
The Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP), representing over 1,525 Catholic schools nationwide, has also expressed concerns, advocating for a more flexible approach to sexuality education.
“A one-size-fits-all curriculum may not address the diversity of the nation’s schools in terms of institutional, religious, and cultural contexts,” CEAP stated.
While the organization acknowledges the goal of preventing teenage pregnancies, it warned of potential overlaps with existing laws, such as Republic Act 10354 (Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act); Republic Act 9710 (Magna Carta of Women).
“Any reproductive health education program should allow flexibility, ensuring that schools can integrate faith-based perspectives while addressing students’ needs,” CEAP added.
As the debate intensifies, Education Secretary Sonny Angara has expressed openness to reviewing the CSE program and its alignment with Senate Bill 1979 (Anti-Adolescent Pregnancy Bill).
“We acknowledge the concerns regarding the current implementation of Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) and a version of SBN 1979 (Teenage Pregnancy Bill). We are actively collaborating with various stakeholders, including health service providers and community organizations, to ensure that our programs are effective and culturally sensitive,” Angara stated in January 2025.
The introduction of sex education modules in Philippine schools was also driven by the alarming rise in HIV/AIDS infections among young people, particularly those aged 10 to 24.
With parents, religious groups, and policymakers still divided on how best to implement sexuality education, the future of CSE in Philippine schools remains uncertain.
RONALD O. REYES
