Education Secretary Sonny Angara Unveils New Policy to Implement Reproductive Health Education in Schools Amid Rising HIV and Teenage Pregnancies

Strategic Insights -

Education Secretary Sonny Angara has issued a new policy mandating the implementation of Reproductive Health Education (RHE) in schools, coinciding with the rising cases of human immunodeficiency virus and teenage pregnancies in the country. The policy, which adopts the Policy on the Implementation of Reproductive Health Education for Adolescent Learners in Basic Education, aims to provide age and developmentally appropriate lessons to adolescent learners, taught by adequately trained teachers in both formal and non-formal education systems. The policy will cover students from Grades 5 to 12 (ages 10 to 19) in all public schools and Community Learning Centers.

Key Takeaways:

  • The new policy mandates the implementation of Reproductive Health Education (RHE) in schools, covering students from Grades 5 to 12 (ages 10 to 19) in all public schools and Community Learning Centers.
  • RHE will be integrated into subjects such as MAPEH (Physical Education and Health), Science, GMRC and Values Education, Araling Panlipunan and Life and Career Skills.
  • Topics to be covered include values formation; physical, social, and emotional changes in adolescence; prevention of discrimination; protection against sexual abuse and gender-based violence; responsible teenage behavior; teen pregnancy; women and children's rights; gender and development, and responsible parenthood.
  • Reproductive health education will be taught by adequately trained teachers in both formal and non-formal education systems.
  • The policy cites data from the Philippine Statistics Authority, highlighting the increasing cases of adolescent pregnancies, HIV infections, sexually transmitted diseases, and gender-based violence among the youth.
  • Education Secretary Sonny Angara noted that "this trend underscores the urgent need to strengthen and institutionalize a comprehensive policy framework on RHE."
  • The problem of bullying is also recognized, with 43 percent of Grade 10 females and 53 percent of males encountering bullying monthly.
  • Academic performance is also a concern, with 72 percent of Filipino learners considered low achievers and a clear gap between a high school diploma and employability.

Statistics:

  • 73,000 classrooms are needed to address the 165,000 classroom gap in the country. (Source: DepEd)
  • P458 million has been secured in private sector commitments to fund at least 84 new classrooms and other facilities as part of efforts to close the 165,000 classroom gap. (Source: DepEd)
  • 6,237 classrooms have been built in the last 18 months. (Source: DepEd)
  • 10,800 classrooms have been repaired and 67 Gabaldon heritage schools restored in the last 18 months. (Source: DepEd)
  • 43 percent of Grade 10 females and 53 percent of males encounter bullying monthly. (Source: PISA report)
  • 72 percent of Filipino learners are considered low achievers. (Source: PISA report)
  • 170,909 learners have been certified through the integration of technical-vocational education and training into the senior high school curriculum. (Source: DepEd)

Sources:

  • "DepEd Order 25" (exact title)
  • "Philippine Statistics Authority"
  • "DepEd Order 31, series of 2018"
  • "Policy on the Implementation of Reproductive Health Education for Adolescent Learners in Basic Education"
  • "Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Law of 2012 (RA 10354)"