Only high school studes must be taught sex education, mayor Samaco advises

By BONG PEDALINO
June 18, 2010

MAASIN CITY  –  If he has his way, elementary pupils must be spared lessons on sex education, and the subject must be taught only for high school students.

This was the reaction of City Mayor Maloney Samaco on the raging issue now hounding the Department of Education (DepEd) as the controversial subject is being pilot-tested in select schools around the country – 80 public elementary schools and 79 high schools – for the present 2010-2011 school year.

Luckily, for this city and Southern Leyte province, no elementary or secondary school here was listed as among the randomly selected areas for teaching sex education, based on published reports.

“That is my personal opinion,” Mayor Samaco stressed in an interview at his office Tuesday, as he voiced his concerns that the matter may not be handled properly by competent teachers at the intermediate levels, or the grades IV, V, and VI, in which it was targeted to be taught.

His worry was that the topic may end up rousing the curiosity of boys and girls, and questions on sexuality or the reproductive processes may cause confusion rather than enlighten the children.

It will be fitting to be taken up during high school, since this is the onset of a teen-ager’s growth development, otherwise known as the puberty period, wherein many physical changes can be expected, and the teens can relate and understand better.

In fact, it was only when his children were in high school, Mayor Samaco stressed, that they discussed the topic on sexuality, not during their elementary years.

According to reports, DedEd Secretary Mona Valisno declared there will be no discussion on things about contraception on the pilot-tested project.

The lessons have been limited to reproductive system, proper peer behavior, personal hygiene, and problems on unwanted pregnancy.

But teachings on the different systems of the human body, be it a man or a woman’s body, had been integrated into such subjects as Science especially biology and Health, it was learned.