Ruling out condom distribution in schools

DIRECTOR’S Cut: (This portion features the thoughts of Atty. Alberto T. Escobarte, CESO IV, Regional Director, Deped Region 11 to all stakeholders and recipients of the efforts to improve the basic education). "Let me assure you that in the performance of my official duties and even my private acts will be guided and guarded by my Oath of Office, The Panunumpa ng Kawani ng Gobyerno, the Philippine Constitution and all the laws that govern our actions.”

- o0O0o – After series of consultations and careful study of its role in the society, the Department of Education through Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones dismissed with finality the involvement of the Department of Education (Deped) in the Department of Health’s (DOH) initiative to distribute condoms in schools.

This was the content of the policy statement issued by Deped found in its website, http://www.deped.gov.ph under the tab Resources_Official Statements and subsequently announced during the National Management Committee Meeting held in Ilocos Region this month.

This is after Deped’s initial commitment to conduct thorough discussions on how the health agency plans to implement its program and an extensive study of Deped’s legal mandates so the Education chief decided to remain consistent with the two Department’s respective responsibilities.

The Secretary emphasized that it is very clear that the law does not allow the Department to do so citing the legal basis after her team conducted thorough research on the matter following the announcement of the Executive Order and the Supreme Court decision on Reproductive Health Law.

Briones cited that under Executive Order No. 12, series of 2017, Deped is directed to implement a gender-sensitive and rights-based comprehensive sexuality education in the school curriculum. Meanwhile, the Republic Act No. 10354, which the SC declared “not unconstitutional” except for eight items, Deped is mandated to provide age- and development-appropriate health education to adolescents, which shall be taught by adequately trained teachers and integrated in relevant subjects, such as, but not limited to, values formation; knowledge and skills in self-protection against discrimination; sexual abuse and violence against women and children and other forms of gender-based violence, and teen pregnancy; physical, social, and emotional changes in adolescents; women’s rights and children’s rights; responsible teenage behavior; gender and development; and responsible parenthood.

Consequently, the Secretary pointed out that obviously, what Deped is allowed to do is to improve the curriculum, to enhance, to add to the current curricula on HIV/Aids, teenage pregnancy but there’s no mention of distribution of services because right now they have the health centers that are already tasked with that function.

Briones also emphasized that the Department recognizes and respects the parents’ role in decisions that concern the welfare of minors because the learners under basic education are not university students and therefore whatever decisions the learners will make need parental consent.

To further clarify the department’s policy on the said controversial issue, the Deped Secretary pointed out that condom is only one of the range of choices in preventing the prevalence of HIV/Aids and teenage pregnancy. She further said that aside from educating learners about the dangers of pre-marital and unprotected sex, youth who are already sexually active are encouraged to abstain, to talk to guidance counselors in schools, and to participate in peer exchange of experience.

However, despite of the said developments, Briones assured that the Department will follow the Unesco guidelines on reproductive health, particularly in developing modules that will be used in schools. Teachers will also be trained on how to effectively discuss the dangers and emphasize the consequences of engaging in early sexual relations.

This corner hopes that with this pronouncement, the general public shall now put the issue to rest and continue to do its participation again for the welfare of the learners which is the primary role of the Department.