Incoming DepEd chief eyes review of sex ed program

Religious brother and incoming Education Secretary Armin Luistro has vowed to reconsider the implementation of the department’s sex education program once he assumes office on June 30. “I want to focus on programs that need to be continued because I’m sure there are also programs there that are actually good, but there are also programs that has to be reviewed such as the sex ed issue," Luistro told reporters in an interview in Manila on Thursday night. The incoming head of the Department of Education (DepEd) however admitted that he has yet to spend time rethinking the sex education program. “I have really not spent any time thinking about that (sex education)… I don’t know anything about the modules so I cannot say anything about the program right now," he added. The DepEd started the teaching of sex education in both public and private schools this school year, to grade school pupils who are at least nine years old. The move was met with criticism by the Catholic Church and some parents — even resulting in a class suit against education officials. (See: Parents sue DepEd for including sex education in schools) Luistro, for his part, said that it is important to consult various stakeholders regarding the issue, and then formulate the appropriate kind of education based on their views. “We have different definitions of sex education. I think the question that should be asked is not if you are in favor or not, rather what kind of education should be given," he said. Luistro likewise said he would rather focus on finding his replacement as president and chancellor of De La Salle University (DLSU) in Manila before tackling issues in the department. “My priority right now is my replacement. I cannot just leave things behind…because this happened so fast I didn’t plan this," he said. Luistro, a member of the religious De La Salle brothers, accepted on Wednesday President-elect Benigno “Noynoy" Aquino III’s offer to become DepEd chief following consultations with the DLSU community. (See: DLSU president accepts DepEd post under Aquino admin) The incoming DepEd secretary, along with other De La Salle Brothers, has close ties with the Aquino family especially to Aquino’s mother, the late President Corazon “Cory" Aquino. He even delivered a homily entitled “Cory, the Heart of a Saint" during her wake at the La Salle Greenhills Gymnasium in Mandaluyong City in August last year. Skeptical Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio meanwhile expressed concern over Luistro’s stand on DepEd’s sex education program. “Review the sex ed program? What does that mean? We’re a little skeptical of this position," he said in an interview with GMANews.TV on Friday night. Tinio added that given Luistro’s religious orientation, the issue on the implementation of the sex education program will immediately put him to the test. “Given his affiliation to a Catholic religious order, his constitutionally-mandated obligation to uphold secular education will immediately be put to the test on the issue of sex education. Is he prepared to stand up to opposition from the Catholic Church?" he said. The De La Salle University website describes the De La Salle Brothers as lay religious who are not priests, but “full-time religious educators" who are “completely devoted to the ministry of the religious education of youth." Tinio likewise dared the incoming DepEd chief to address major issues he will face once he assumes office, including the universal completion of basic education and corruption within the department. “Corruption is one of the challenges that he will be faced with once he assumes office. Bro. Armin has to prove himself," he said. The party-list representative noted that the last time a religious brother, the late Bro. Andrew Gonzales, was appointed to the department, “various instances of corruption sprouted under his watch." Gonzales served as education secretary from 1998 to 2001 during the presidency of Joseph Estrada. Like Luistro, Gonzalez was also DLSU president, from 1979 to 1991 and from 1994 to 1998. It was under Gonzalez' watch that the department, then called the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS), set up a procurement system aimed at reducing the costs of textbooks and supplies. On the other hand, Gonzalez also took hits from various quarters, most famously from Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile who exposed the expenditure of P24 million on luxury cars for his and other DECS officials' use. Incorruptible Association of Major Religious Superiors of the Philippines co-chair Sister Mary John Mananzan meanwhile defended Luistro, saying he is the “best person" for the position. “Kailangan ni Noynoy ng incorruptible officials with him. All his life, educator si Armin. (Noynoy needs to have incorruptible officials with him. All his life, Armin served as educator.) So I think he will be an asset to the next administration," Mananzan told GMANews.TV in a separate phone interview on Friday. “Wala namang perfect, pero siya na siguro ang pinakamagaling (No one’s perfect, but he’s probably the best) for this position," she added. Mananzan likewise said that Luistro is capable of making “favorable" decisions on controversial matters, even on the sex education issue. “Nag-iisip naman si Armin. Naghahanap siya ng paraan (Armin thinks. He seeks ways) to make favorable decisions through consultation. Hindi naman siya siguro kumikilos (I believe he won’t be acting) through blind obedience," she said.—Andreo C. Calonzo/JV, GMANews.TV