Comprehensive Sexuality Education-Adolescent Reproductive Health Implementation in Region 12: Basis for Program Enhancement

Abstract

Sexuality education provides young generation with varied needs. In Region 12's educational landscape, the Comprehensive Sexuality Education-Adolescent Reproductive Health (CSE-ARH) program stands as a crucial initiative aimed at fostering informed and empowered adolescents. This study explored the status of Comprehensive Sexuality Education- Adolescent Reproductive Health (CSE-ARH) implementation in the three pilot schools in Region 12. It determined how program goals awareness, materials and resources adequacy, teachers’ competency, and technical support related to learners’ competence of CSE-ARH concepts. Moreover, it identified the variations in DepEd’s technical assistance at all levels. A descriptive-correlational research methodology was used, and researcher-made instruments that had been reliability-tested in a pilot study and validated by six experts were used. Complete enumeration for school heads and teachers and stratified random sampling for learners were employed to obtain the respondents. With this, the data's primary sources were three school heads, 138 teachers, and 304 learners from South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and General Santos City divisions. At an alpha level of 0.05, hypotheses were tested. Mean, Standard Deviation, ANOVA, and Regression Analysis were utilized. The results revealed that CSE-ARH implementation was highly practiced and supported by high levels of awareness of program goals and teachers’ competence in approaches, skills, and training. The program’s easy execution was demonstrated by DepEd’s extensive technical support as well as by the program’s adequate materials and resources. Similarly, after CSE-ARH was implemented in schools, students had a solid understanding of its fundamental ideas. The adequacy of materials and resources also influenced learners’ competence in CSE-ARH core concepts. Furthermore, at all levels, DepEd is on track with providing technical support to CSE pilot schools.