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MANILA - The problem with teenage pregnancy will not be solved by separating boys from girls in schools, an official of the Department of Education (DepEd) said Tuesday.

"It's not putting the girls and the boys in the classroom that will make them engage in sex. But its more about perhaps being more effective in sending the message that a child or a youngster should behave responsibly," said DepEd Undersecretary Diosdado San Antonio.

Last month, the Commission on Population (POPCOM) said around 530 women aged 10 to 19 give birth every day because more teens engage in premarital sex.

San Antonio said DepEd is pursuing inclusive education and wants its learners to learn a situation reflective of what the real world is.

"In the real world, you don't separate boys and girls in things that they do," he said.

He added that co-education is the authentic representation of society. He also highlighted the importance of parenting.

"Families have a more significant role to play in nurturing values among our Filipino citizens," he said.

Sex education must also be improved by teaching children body parts.

"The general concepts like the need for couples to have choices like the ideal size of their family. What they should have according to what they could afford to nurture. We start with body parts, how we should take care of our bodies and make ourselves healthy," he said.