BUZZ BEAT MEDIA

Education Secretary Sonny Angara emphasized that the Department of Education (DepEd) will no longer implement Comprehensive Sexuality Education, as the agency issued DepEd Order No. 025, s. 2025—a new policy on Reproductive Health Education (RHE)—in line with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s directive to safeguard the welfare of learners. 

The initiative reflects DepEd’s commitment to delivering age- and developmentally-appropriate reproductive health education for adolescent learners ages 10 to 19 years old, beginning in Grade 5. 

“Layunin ng bagong polisiya natin na maturuan ang ating mga mag-aaral patungkol sa reproductive health ayon sa kanilang edad. We are also emphasizing that the implementation of this new policy will be culturally sensitive and contextually relevant,” Secretary Angara said. 

DepEd clarified that the new policy is anchored on Republic Act No. 10354, or the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Law of 2012. The framework will focus on health, personal responsibility, and respect in relationships—taught by adequately trained teachers in an age-appropriate and sensitive manner. 

In relation to that, teachers who will implement RHE will undergo sufficient training and continuous professional development, supported by adequate resources to ensure competence and sensitivity in delivering lessons. 

The Department also assured that all instructional materials will be scientifically accurate and evidence-based, free from myths, misconceptions, and misleading ideologies. Furthermore, RHE will promote gender sensitivity and directly address issues of gender-based violence that remain prevalent in schools. 

Equally important, parents of adolescent learners will be engaged through information dissemination, consultations, and capacity-building activities, ensuring that they too are informed of the core concepts of RHE. 

“We want to ensure that our adolescent learners are equipped with the right knowledge on RHE. This policy is not just about disseminating information—it is about shaping responsible learners who uphold Filipino cultural values, traditions, and beliefs,” Angara added. 

*All Photos from DepEd