Key word change seen to defuse ‘sex’ bomb

AFTER the controversy surrounding the introduction of “sex education” to elementary and high-school students, the Department of Education is mulling on replacing the word “sex” in sex education to “gender” or “sexuality” to avoid clashing with the Roman Catholic Church. According to Education Undersecretary Franklin Sunga, he will be making such recommendation to Education Secretary Mona Valisno since the Catholic Church and conservative parents have reservations or have the wrong idea of what will be taught to students in sex education.

“I will strongly suggest that we change it [sex] to sexuality or gender education, pag narining kasi nila yung sex, akala nila kung ano na [because if they hear sex, they think it’s something else]. We’re not here to titillate the imagination of the students,” Sunga said on Monday.

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines had expressed strong objections to the introduction of sex education to the elementary and secondary school students.

But Education officials said that lectures on the proposed sex-education subject would not be about “sex” or the act of sex.

Sunga said that the Church and the parents are simply worried about the word sex in sex education.

Catholic bishops revived their opposition to sex education in elementary and high schools this school year, saying it encroaches into the duties of parents to their children.

They maintained that the primary responsibility for sex education for children lies with parents and guardians.

CBCP spokesman Msgr. Pedro Quitorio 3rd said that children should not be taught things that are not suited for them especially in schools.

Quitorio added that the church is concerned on what the focus of sex education would be.

According to him, the sex education pushed in the past dwelled more on the physical aspect instead of the values surrounding it.

Valisno, however, said that sex education is not all about making love.

She made the clarification after Malacañang asked DepEd to defer its plan to integrate sex education in the basic curriculum until consultations are done with Catholic Church leaders and after addressing concerns of CBCP.

Valisno also clarified that classroom discussions on sex education that will be piloted in almost 160 schools—79 public high schools and 80 elementary schools—are not about the sex act but “on the science of reproduction, physical care and hygiene, correct values and the norms of interpersonal relations to avoid pre-marital sex and teen-age pregnancy.”

Informed choices

She said that contents of modules that will be integrated in core subjects are scientific and 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 added.

The Education chief said that “the role of teachers is to educate young people on issues that directly affect them and empower them to make informed choices and decisions.”

Valisno added that sex education will be integrated in science; Edukasyong Pantahanan at Pangkabuhayan
(EPP); health; Heograpiya, Kasaysayan at Sibika; and mathematics.

Under Science, topics on the reproductive system, parts of the body, reproductive cycle and puberty are discussed. EPP will integrate proper behavior among and between peers of different genders. –FRANCIS EARL A. CUETO REPORTER, Manila Times