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

Jiin Kim, Jin Huh and Sung-Sang Yoo

International Journal of Educational Development, 2023, vol. 100, issue C

Abstract: 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.

Keywords: Reproductive health education; Sexuality education; Policy noncompliance; Philippines (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:injoed:v:100:y:2023:i:c:s0738059323000548

DOI: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2023.102778

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