MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education has proposed the introduction of sexual and reproductive rights education as early as Grade 4, as seen in its draft new curriculum to enhance students' health literacy.
In its proposed 2022 basic education curriculum, DepEd will merge the currently separate subjects of Health and Physical Education to create better opportunities for “practical application” of students’ knowledge of health and movement, including lessons in sexuality, family health and substance use prevention, among others.
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One of the salient features of DepEd’s new K to 10 curriculum is the inclusion of "sexual reproductive and health rights" and "healthcare needs and rights" as early as the third quarter of Grade 4, or when students are typically aged 8 to 10 years old.
The lessons are designed to "explain the concepts of ... right to healthcare needs, sexual, and reproductive health" and "analyze the importance of health and sexual reproductive rights,” according to DepEd’s draft curriculum guide for Health and Physical Education released last week.
In the current K to 12 curriculum, gender and human sexuality concepts are introduced in Grade 8, by which students are expected to begin to understand basic terms in sexuality and understand the factors that influence their sexual behavior.
As part of its comprehensive sexuality education (CSE), DepEd generally requires only the "integration" of reproductive health lessons across the curriculum wherever teachers may deem these "can be done most appropriately."
A 2018 study by Center for Health Solutions and Innovation Philippines Inc., which held training sessions for teachers on CSE that same year, found that only 15% of teachers said they have implemented or are currently implementing CSE integration.
DepEd has made available its shaping papers for other subjects including English, Science, Mathematics, Filipino, Values Education, Kindargarten and other content areas.
DepEd will be accepting reviews and suggestions on the new K to 10 curriculum until May 3.
Progression of sexuality-related Health subjects
According to the proposed curriculum, the goal of these lessons in sexual and reproductive rights is to allow the student to "exhibit sound decision-making skills on health needs and rights," among others.
“In Physical Education & Health, the Filipino learners will acquire the skill set and mindset to effectively navigate their paths forward. They will have the strength of character to cope with difficult circumstances and maintain a positive outlook as they ask, 'What can I do about this problem?,'” DepEd stated in the shaping papers for the subject released by the Bureau of Curriculum Development.
“They will realize opportunities for growth; find meaning in their experiences; make informed and sound decisions and improve their own as well as others’ lives,” DepEd added.
In DepEd’s tweaked K to 10 curriculum, sexuality- and reproductive health-related lessons under the Health subject area gradually progress in terms of scope and depth from grades 4 to 10.
In Grade 5, students will learn about "communicating needs and respecting needs and boundaries in relationships" and "affirming family values and managing issues associated with relationships.”
Upon moving up to Grade 6, Health classes will deal with lessons related to “respecting basic gender concepts and all sexual identities” with the goal of encouraging students to become aware of diversity.
Students will then learn various aspects of sexuality and reproductive health from grades 7 to 9. In Grade 10, when students are typically aged 15 to 16 years old, they will be taught about “parental roles and responsibilities” which include maternal and childcare, teenage pregnancy prevention and family planning programs.
Aside from sexuality and family health, the Social and Community Health component of the subject area will also expound on environmental health, population education, and community organization.
“Since improving, maintaining, and optimizing one’s health is an ongoing and lifelong process, they will influence others starting with their own family, relatives, and friends, eventually expanding to broader spheres such as the school, community, and society at large,” DepEd noted.
Aside from the earlier introduction of reproductive health concepts, DepEd's draft curriculum also merges social studies, culture, history and physical education in kindergarten to Grade 3 to free up space for subjects on basic literacy.
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— with reports by Xave Gregorio