A government-backed sex education program for students is causing division in the predominantly Catholic Philippines, with parents, Church leaders, and officials clashing over who should teach children about sexuality.
The Department of Education says the Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) policy aims to educate students on responsible sexual behavior, gender-based violence, and reproductive health. But critics argue that sex education should be taught at home, not in schools.
Concerns from Parents and Church Leaders
Many parents believe discussing sex in school could undermine their role in shaping their children’s values.
“I don’t think outsiders should be the first to introduce this sensitive topic,” said Cynthia Agner, a teacher and mother of two teenage daughters. “It should be a joint effort between families, the health sector, and the government.”
Caritas Philippines official Jing Rey Henderson agrees. “Sex education, especially discussions on gender identity, should start at home,” she said. “Schools can supplement, but parents must lead the conversation.”
She also fears that school modules may leave too much interpretation to young minds. “They might be asked when it’s okay to have sex or what virginity means—these are discussions for adults,” she warned.
The Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP), representing over 1,500 Catholic schools, called for an “inclusive” approach, arguing that a uniform curriculum might not respect religious and cultural differences.
Political Showdown Over Teen Pregnancy Bill
The debate intensified after President Ferdinand Marcos opposed Senate Bill 1979, also known as the Anti-Adolescent Pregnancy Bill, proposed by Education Secretary Sonny Angara. Marcos threatened to veto the bill, calling it “full of woke absurdities” that promote self-pleasure among minors.
Angara defended the bill, citing alarming statistics. From 2021 to 2022, the number of live births among girls under 15 jumped by 35.13%, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority. He stressed the need for urgent action to address teen pregnancies while promising to consult parents and religious groups.
With the battle lines drawn, the question remains: Should sex education be the school’s responsibility, or should it stay within the family?
