The Schools Division Office of Davao de Oro recently conducted a successful three-day training on comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) at Heroben Hometel, Tagum City, from August 14 to 16 for batch 1 and August 22-24 for batch 2. This training equipped school heads and non-pilot school teachers in Davao de Oro’s first and 2nd legislative districts with the skills to integrate CSE into the K to 12 Basic Education Curriculum.
The participants gained insight about diverse topics in CSE and its components, which include human development, relationships, sexual health, to name a few. The importance of CSE in preventing early and unplanned pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and gender-based violence, were highlighted.
In addition, the participants had the chance to openly discuss their teaching experiences and challenges in the field of CSE. They voiced their gratitude for the training, stating that it had improved their understanding of the essence of CSE, as well as enhanced their ability to effectively teach it to their students. Dr. Grace D. Pontillas, Education Program Supervisor and Gender and Development (GAD) Focal Person in the division office, appealed to the participants to cascade CSE into their respective schools.
“This training is very timely and relevant,” said one of the participants, a secondary public-school teacher from Monkayo. “We need to be equipped with the knowledge and skills to teach CSE in a way that is age-appropriate, accurate, and relevant to our students.”
Another participant said that the training has widened their fundamental understanding of CSE. “I now realize that CSE is not just about teaching about sex,” they said. “It is also about teaching our students about their rights and responsibilities, and about how to make healthy choices.”
The Department of Education (DepEd), in collaboration with various civil society organizations, is steadfast in its commitment to delivering high-quality CSE to every student in the nation. This training is a pivotal component in their collective endeavor to ensure that every student is equipped with the right capacity to make informed decisions about their sexual health and overall well-being. The Schools Division Office of Davao de Oro believes that incorporating CSE into the K to 12 Basic Education curriculum will boost understanding of CSE among the province’s population. This, in turn, will aid in preventing early pregnancies, STIs, and gender-based violence, ultimately empowering every Davaoeño to achieve their full potential.