Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 8) — Senator Sherwin Gatchalian eyes an inquiry on the implementation of the Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) in schools, raising alarm over the increasing pregnancy rate among minors.
Gatchalian, who chairs the Senate Committee on Basic Education, on Tuesday said a probe into the implementation of the CSE is timely as young mothers continue to be deprived of the opportunity to study.
“Sa gitna ng nakakaalarmang bilang ng mga batang 10 hanggang 14 taong gulang na nagiging ina, napapanahong suriin natin nang mabuti kung epektibo nga ba ang polisiya ng ating mga paaralan sa pagpapatupad ng CSE,” he said.
[Translation: Amid the alarming number of minors aged 10 to 14 who become mothers, it is about time we thoroughly evaluate if the schools’ policy in implementing the CSA is effective.]
Despite the decline in early pregnancies in the 15 to 19 age group, the Commission on Population and Development (POPCOM) took notice of the 2,113 births recorded among minors aged 10 to 14 in 2020.
The Department of Health, on the other hand, recorded 2,354 girls aged 10 to 14 who gave birth in 2020 and 2,299 minors who became mothers in 2021.
The implementation of CSE is guided by Department of Education (DepEd) Order No. 31 s. 2018, issued in compliance with the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012.
The measure provides that age and development-appropriate reproductive health education should be taught in basic education institutions, and mandates the DepEd to formulate a curriculum for the use of public schools.
However, a study by think tank Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) revealed the insufficiency of materials and facilities in integrating CSE to the curriculum.
“Trainings on sexuality curriculum integration have also been inadequate and inaccessible,” the study said.
Last year, Gatchalian also filed Proposed Senate Resolution No. 13, which seeks a Senate inquiry on the number of adolescent pregnancies and the rise of Human Immunodeficiency Virus infections among the youth.
