THE controversial sex education modules that were planned to be integrated in the basic education curriculum this school year is now with the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) for its perusal and review.
Outgoing Education Secretary Mona Valisno said Saturday that Bishop Oscar Cruz told her the modules were already with them and are being reviewed before the CBCP would make its recommendations.
“The good bishop told me that the modules we gave them are now with the Pontifical Council for the Family,” Valisno said, adding they got the chance to talk when they met in an evening television talk show.
Cruz, said Valisno, emphasized that “Sex is sacred. Done inside marriage, which is held as a holy union of two souls, it is a component of procreation”.
The education chief who earlier said the department will pursue the teaching of sex education, welcomes the CBCP’s comment and opinion on the modules.
“This exchange in ideas is good,” said Valisno. “We have always maintained that we are open for dialog with any interest groups so we assuage their fears and assure them that what we are doing is child-friendly.”
The CBCP is among the sectors strenuously opposed to teaching sex education in the country’s schools successfully blocking a similar initiative by the education department in 2005.
The Department of Education (DepEd) has repeatedly explained to the public that their sex education learning modules focus on adolescence, health and wellness, and proper values and character development.
Valisno said they will also include lesson guides in spiritual development as recommended by bishops Reuben Abante and Efraim Tendero of the Presidential Council for Values Formation.
Sex education will initially be pilot-tested in some 80 elementary and 79 secondary schools nationwide though the DepEd said they are still in the consultation stage at present.
The topic would be pilot-tested in schools in Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Tawi-Tawi, Sultan Kudarat, and Sulu as well as in Olongapo City, Mountain Province, Masbate, Ifugao, Eastern Samar, and Bohol.
Last week, Valisno and DepEd Undersecretary Ramon Bacani were sued by a group of parents led by Ang Kapatiran Party (AKP) defeated senatorial bet Jo Aurea Imbong before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court.
The petitioners were seeking an injunction to prevent DepEd from implementing the plan, which they said is “unconstitutional”.
The education department, with all the controversies, has decided to suspend the implementation of sex education in schools. (AH/Sunnex)