PETITIONERS yesterday withdrew their case against the sex education curriculum in elementary and high school pending a review of the scheme by Education Secretary Armin A. Luistro.
In a court hearing yesterday, 24 petitioners, who claimed to be parents, withdrew their case from Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 88 that sought a preliminary injunction to stop the Department of Education (DepEd) from integrating sex education to the curriculum.
Jo Aurea M. Imbong, one of the petitioners, said their decision will give Mr. Luistro “time and space” to review the scheme initiated by former Education secretary Mona D. Valisno.
Ms. Valisno and Ramon C. Bacani, former Education undersecretary, were named respondents in the petition.
“[Former] secretary Valisno is no longer with DepEd, [while] we cannot substitute Mr. Luistro [since] he has no clear stand yet on the [sex education] issue,” Ms. Imbong said by phone.
Last June 28, Judge Rosanna Fe Romero-Maglaya denied a petition for a temporary restraining order (TRO) against DepEd Memorandum 261, Series of 2005, which directed the integration of sex education in the curricula of Grades 5 an 6 and all high school levels.
The memorandum would allegedly start a program to be funded by United Nations Population Fund, which adopted the definition of International Conference on Population and Development Program of Action in reproductive health that includes the right of people “to have a satisfying and safe sex life.”
The court said the petition for TRO was “not justified” since the parents “were not able to show that their children… are students of the schools” where the program would be pilot-tested.
The program has been pilot-tested in 80 public elementary and 79 public high schools nationwide.
In a separate interview, Kenneth C. Tirado, DepEd communications group head, said the evaluation report of the pilot testing is “under study” by Mr. Luistro.
“[After reviewing], he [Mr. Luistro] might invite parties concerned — those in favor and from the opposition — to hear their sides,” Mr. Tirado said in Filipino.
The Catholic Church has been at the forefront of the campaign against including sex education in the school curricula. — Prinz P. Magtulis, Businessworld
#WearMask #WashHands
#Distancing
#TakePicturesVideos
