Implementation of reproductive health education in a Filipino city: a case study

Case Studies & Research
2023
p. 1-8
Periodical title
International Journal of Educational Development, 100 (2023) 102778

The Philippines has adopted reproductive health education (RHE) in schools with the passing of the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Law in 2012 which promised multi-dimensional support on reproductive health (RH) including RHE. Although there is urgent need for RH policy to enhance family planning and to reduce high teenage pregnancy, this law continues to be extremely controversial, conflicting with Filipino socio-cultural norms, mainly based on Catholic beliefs. Based on this context, this research aims to examine how RHE is implemented in Filipino schools. For the research, a qualitative case study was conducted in a Filipino city. Results show that each local stakeholder has a different concept of RH and delivers their own perceived concept of RH. Teachers lack RH pedagogy and training on RH while they also tend to minimise and modify their teaching in fear of further stimulating student interest in sex. Lastly, conflict between the Department of Education and the Department of Health was observed. This study implies that policy making alone is not a sufficient for effective implementation of RHE. Endorsement of various local stakeholders is necessary to accomplish proper RHE.

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