No DepEd OK yet for condom distribution in schools

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Education (DepEd) has yet to give the Department of Health (DOH) the green light to proceed with its plan to distribute condoms in schools nationwide. 

DepEd Assistant Secretary Tonisito Umali yesterday said they have yet to come up with a final decision on the issue.

Education Secretary Leonor Briones earlier noted the issue has to be studied carefully as it would involve minor-aged students. 

“They will not stand outside the doors and distribute (condoms) like leaflets in malls,” Briones said in Filipino. 

“They cannot distribute without counseling. It has to be explained (in case it will proceed),” she added. 

DepEd said its officials are discussing the matter with their counterparts at the DOH, including Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial, who is pushing for the condom distribution to address HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases among the youth. 

“There has been an informal discussion, but DepEd has not given its consent to finally implement the health agency’s plan. Top level formal talks is being initiated by DepEd,” the education agency said. 

DepEd earlier created a team to look into the proposal and scrutinize the possible social impact of its implementation. 

It said the team would determine if the proposal is appropriate for basic education institutions and, if not, suggest other measures that can be explored without compromising the parents’ right to educate their children about pre-marital sex and the state’s mandate to protect minors from any form of abuse. 

“DepEd will also have to look into how and why, despite progressive mindset in other countries, this approach is not implemented by all,” added the department. 

DepEd stressed it continues to uphold the values rooted in the country’s culture while at the same time work toward enriching sex education “within the frameworks of human rights, safety and well-being of learners through age-appropriate and developmental reproductive health education.”

In case of implementation, Briones maintained it will not be a mass event and that the distribution will only involve students who can already understand and discern the issues. 

She said teachers should also be trained to discuss the repercussions of pre-marital sex to ensure that the proposed condom distribution will not become an instrument of promoting promiscuity and debasement of moral values.