MANILA – The Department of Education (DepEd) has clarified to the Senate that the comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) curriculum includes discussions on abstinence and family planning methods, ensuring these are presented as factual health and medical information. This assurance came during a public hearing focused on the increasing rate of adolescent pregnancies, where DepEd officials emphasized that all CSE lessons are tailored to be age-appropriate and developmentally suitable for students.
DepEd Assistant Secretary Janir Datukan addressed the Senate, confirming that the curriculum’s competencies align with learning objectives suitable for students’ ages and developmental stages. This statement was in response to concerns raised about the content of the CSE program.
Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros stressed the importance of CSE in combating online sexual abuse and exploitation of children, and in preventing teenage pregnancies. She called for a more progressive approach to discussing abstinence alongside both traditional and modern family planning methods as students grow older.
Hontiveros also questioned whether the Reproductive Health (RH) Law might undermine parental authority over children’s sexual and reproductive health education. In response, DepEd Undersecretary Filemon Ray Javier clarified that CSE is designed to supplement, not replace, parental guidance.
Further discussions revealed that DepEd has trained over 11,000 parent representatives on CSE across various regions, and approximately 400,000 teachers have been trained to handle sensitive topics effectively. Assistant Secretary Dexter Galban noted that while half of DepEd’s 800,000 teachers have been trained, challenges remain, including unfamiliarity with CSE content among some educators and the need for better coordination with other government agencies like the Department of Health and the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, chair of the panel, underscored the necessity of enhancing CSE and embedding preventive measures within the basic education system to better prepare students for societal challenges. He highlighted the alarming data showing a rise in early pregnancies and HIV cases among youth, which necessitates immediate action to improve the delivery of sexuality education.
The Commission on Population and Development reported a significant 35.13 percent increase in live births among girls under 15 years old in 2022, with the number rising from 2,320 in 2021 to 3,135. This surge in teenage pregnancies is also associated with increased risks of HIV transmission, presenting major public health and societal issues.