Manila (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Filipino bishops oppose the teaching of sex education in public primary schools, proposed by the government and the UN, and consider sexuality a topic for discussion within families.

Bishop Pedro Qitorio, spokesman for the Philippine Bishops Conference, said: "The Church believes that sex education of children is a responsibility of parents and not the school, and if it should be taught to students, then it should begin at a high school level”. According to the prelate, the school must support parents in raising children and not replace them. "Only parents - he says - know when it is the right time to deal with the subject of sex with their children."

The prelate stressed that the proposal is too focused on the theme of sexual intercourse and may be understood as an explicit invitation to promiscuity and relationships outside of marriage. "The students - he says - should be informed properly about sex, not only linked to the idea through the body, but the importance that sexuality and life are a gift from God."

The "Adolescent Reproductive Health Program”, will start in the new school year. It will involve three children from 11 to 12 years and will be piloted in 80 primary schools and 79 state institutions of secondary education.  It is sponsored by UN Population Found, which considers the high birth rate the main obstacle to the development of the country. "The initiative - says Teresita Inciong, head of the project - aims to teach children about the changes in their bodies during adolescence and how to deal with relationships with the opposite sex in a safe way as well as scientific and medical lectures".

The UN years ago pressured the government to seek the approval of the controversial reproductive health bill, which the Church opposes, a law that was never approved

It includes: the dissemination of condoms and contraceptives in all public places, limiting to two the number of children per family and promotes voluntary sterilization.