DepEd chief OK with non-compulsory sex ed

MANILA, Philippines – Education Secretary Armin Luistro said Tuesday that he is amenable to non-compulsory sex education in public schools, based on parents’ approval.

He compared alternative reproductive health education for high school students to religion classes held after school hours.

“Naniniwala ang Constitution na dapat matuto sila sa pananampalataya nila. Pagkatapos ng regular class, open ang mga silid-paaralan para doon sakop ang mga religious instructors, pero mga Katoliko lang with the permission of their parents,” Luistro told radio station dzMM.

He also believes that sex education lessons, which should be values-laden, would even be better if the parents themselves would attend the classes.

The education secretary said reproductive health lessons in public schools would teach students how to avoid teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, as well as impart lessons on responsible parenthood.

He said a decision of the Department of Education (DepEd) to include sex education in the basic curriculum will not be based on pressure from any sector of society. “Ang ayaw ko ay ang DepEd will come up with a curriculum based on pressure groups. Ang problema dyan, we will be imposing the belief of one group over the others,” the new DepEd chief said.

However, Luistro reiterated that he is sensitive to religious beliefs of people, particularly when it comes to sex education.

He likewise explained that reproductive health concerns already fall under several school subjects, including science and health. “Kahit tingnan mo ngayon ang mga textbook at mga lessons sa private at public schools, kasama sa science ang human anatomy, reproductive system,” he said.

He added that he sees no need to have sex education lessons in the elementary level. –abs-cbnNEWS.com