Elementary school students cannot be compelled to participate in Pride Month celebrations, the Department of Education (DepEd) emphasized, reiterating that student involvement in non-curricular events must remain completely optional.
The clarification was made during the agency’s 2027 budget hearing after Bagong Henerasyon (BH) Party-list Representative Robert Nazal raised concerns from parents regarding reports that elementary students—including a Grade 2 pupil—were allegedly required to attend monthlong events celebrating LGBTQIA+ culture and equal rights.
Nazal questioned the developmental and scientific basis for introducing such activities to learners as young as Grade 1 and Grade 2.
In response, Education Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara stated that participation in non-mandatory events, such as annual June Pride Month observances, should never be imposed on young learners.
”I don’t think these should be sanctioned events or we should not impose attendance at these events. If ever they are, they should be purely voluntary,” Angara said.
”We have an existing policy that it should be the employees, if they wish, and not to the learners,” he added.
Following requests from Nazal to issue an immediate policy or memorandum addressing parent complaints, Angara committed to clarifying the guidelines to ensure no student experiences coercion or compulsion.
Nazal also highlighted concerns over the age-appropriateness of certain instructional materials. He cited a Grade 1 book titled Batang Makabansa, authored by Ferdinand R. Conel, which features the line: “If you are a man with a woman’s heart or a woman with a man’s heart, accept this. Show the real you.”
While supporting reproductive health education and anti-discrimination efforts, the lawmaker questioned whether the DepEd-branded material was suitable for early grade levels.
Angara explained that instructional titles for Grade 1 are procured at the regional level and committed to verifying the module with the appropriate DepEd regional director.