UN backs sex education in RP schools

MANILA, Philippines - The United Nations (UN) yesterday expressed strong support for the teaching of sex education in public schools in the Philippines, saying it will help provide accurate and appropriate information on how to protect the health of young people and practice healthy behavior.

The UN said global leaders of 189 countries met in 2000 and signed the Millennium Declaration, declaring their commitment to attaining the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015. These goals cover a wide range of social and economic indicators, including decreasing poverty by half and achieving universal primary education.

In support of the government of the Philippines, the UN has focused its work around the MDGs, addressing the needs of individuals, particularly those living in poverty and deprivation.

Since 47 percent of the Philippine population are below 19 years of age, the UN pointed out that a critical element to helping young people out of poverty is providing them with the information to enable them to grow up healthy and to make the right choices for themselves and their families.

The UN said the responsibility of providing this information to adolescents rests with the State, with teachers and with parents. As stated in the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) – the most widely signed international treaty – it is the obligation of States to ensure that all adolescent girls and boys are provided with accurate and appropriate information on how to protect their health and practice healthy behavior.

“As a signatory to the CRC, the Philippines, through the Department of Education, is taking this responsibility seriously and integrating into primary grades V and VI topics such as learning about the body, personal hygiene, coping with peer pressure and making responsible decisions,” UN said in a statement.

At the secondary level, the teaching moves on to helping students understand the consequences of unplanned pregnancy, risky behavior and the impact these have on their future.

“Young people growing up in the Philippines are exposed to confusing and conflicting life skills information from the media and other popular sources. In this context, they have a greater need than ever for clear, unbiased information coming from a trusted source,” the UN said. “Whilst parents have an important role to play, young people also trust those in authority, such as teachers or doctors, who can help them accept and understand the process of growing up.”

Evidence suggests that given an absence of reliable information, young people do not always make the best choices.

CBCP snubs dialogue

Meanwhile, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines snubbed a dialogue arranged by the DepEd to discuss their move to integrate adolescent reproductive health lessons starting school year 2010-2011. With Rainier Allan Ronda