Education Crisis: Why the SOGIE Bill Isn’t the Answer
At a time when Filipino students rank among the worst in math, reading, and science globally, the Department of Education (DepEd) is initiating changes that aren’t addressing the crisis— rather, it’s pushing curriculum adjustments that shift focus away from core academic skills. The Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Expression (SOGIE) Bill is a significant proposal reflecting this trend, rolling out educational policies that teach progressive concepts—like gender expression, identity formation, and social inclusion—as early as nursery school. While its advocates claim it will modernize education, it's nothing more than another poorly timed and misdirected attempt at reform.
It’s almost ridiculous that more time, energy, and money aren’t being dedicated to more urgent issues, especially with the country’s education system currently crumbling under the weight of failing student performance, corruption, and a lack of resources. For instance, the Philippine Science High School (PSHS), one of the country’s premier institutions, was recently forced to cut its number of qualified applicants in half due to a lack of slots and funding. This isn’t an isolated incident—it’s a reflection of a systemic bottleneck affecting opportunities for the nation’s brightest minds. Yet, rather than addressing these critical gaps, DepEd seems fixated on unnecessary distractions that could worsen an already struggling system.
The numbers don’t lie—according to the 2022 Program for International Student Assessment (PISA), the Philippines placed 77th out of 81 countries in math, reading, and science. Creative thinking is no exception either, with only 3.4% of Filipino students reaching Level 5 proficiency, placing the country among the bottom four of 64 nations. Given these alarming statistics, diverting attention from academic fundamentals to complex discussions on identity doesn’t just seem premature—it risks deepening the existing educational crisis. If students are already struggling with literacy and numeracy, how can they be expected to engage meaningfully in nuanced discussions on gender and social dynamics?
Radical shifts in education policy might sound good in theory, but they tend to fall apart in practice, especially when implemented on a shaky foundation. The SOGIE Bill aims to integrate new discussions into the school curriculum. While it is well-intentioned in promoting inclusivity and protecting individuals from discrimination, it raises concerns about whether young learners have the cognitive and emotional maturity to engage with such topics effectively. Instead of enhancing education, introducing complex social concepts prematurely could overwhelm students, leading to confusion and detracting from the indispensable instructional time needed for core subjects. This is particularly detrimental in the Philippines, where improving student achievement is vital for economic development, poverty alleviation, and national competitiveness.
With all these deep-seated issues, the SOGIE Bill’s proposed education-related policies are not only unnecessary—they’re outright harmful. DepEd should instead focus on fixing what it should’ve addressed ages (and hefty investments) ago: eradicating corruption, improving literacy and numeracy, and ensuring schools have the resources they need. Prioritizing inclusivity is important, but it should not come at the cost of the basic education that Filipino students deserve and desperately need to succeed.
As students, we must recognize that our future hinges on the quality of education we receive today. We shouldn’t passively accept policies that fail to address the root causes of our academic struggles, especially when inclusivity and academic excellence can coexist without compromising either. Moving forward, we must hold DepEd accountable by staying informed and pushing for resource allocation toward essential academic improvements. The future of education isn’t just in policymakers' hands—it’s in ours, too.
