INTEGRATING COMPREHENSIVE SEXUALITY EDUCATION IN THE CLASSROOM: FROM THE VIEWS OF THE TEACHERS

Education

The study explored the views of teachers in integrating comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) in the classroom. Specifically, six junior high school teachers were selected as participants of the study using in-depth interview. The findings of the study revealed that the lived experiences of the teachers in integrating CSE in the classroom were requiring careful planning, tough yet rewarding, supported by the administration, playing a crucial role, complex and sensitive, and CSE competencies were integrated to other subject competencies. It was also revealed that the aspects in CSE that were difficult to adopt were sexual orientation and gender identity, cultural and religious sensitivities, sensitive topics, and lifestyles. Also, the strategies applied by teachers in integrating CSE were utilizing different tactics, inquiry-based strategies, interactive activities, and group discussion. Based on the findings, the specific strategies that were found effective in integrating CSE in the classroom were interactive teaching methods, inquiry-based strategies, and group learners according to gender. Aside from that, the challenges encountered by the teachers in CSE integration in the classroom were cultural sensitivities, insufficient learners’ materials, and learners hiding their identity. The coping mechanisms employed by the teachers in confronting the challenges in integrating CSE were by showing empathy and compassion, using culturally sensitive resources, setting clear expectations, having the right attitude, being open-minded, and more information dissemination. The effectiveness of the coping mechanisms employed vary on several factors, sometimes highly effective, and effective in some cases. Moreover, the insights gained by the teachers in integrating CSE in the classroom were: emphasize the value of advocacy, highlight the value of family involvement, it can be challenging, understand more the meaning of life, have open communication with parents, and learners should focus on their studies. These insights helped the teachers in navigating challenges effectively, overcoming challenges, helping create support systems, creating an avenue for learning, and addressing the challenges effectively.

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