[dropcap]I [/dropcap]UNDERSTAND that sometime last week, the Bulacan State University (BSU) “suspended all student field trips scheduled in the next months” after an incident that happened on August 19 when at least seven of their students were drowned supposedly while crossing a river.
The Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the government agency which has jurisdiction over tertiary education, is now investigating the incident. One of the requirements imposed by CHED under its recently issued CHED memorandum order 17, Series of 2012 (“Policies and Guidelines on Educational Tours and Field Trips of College and Graduate Students”) is the conduct of a briefing and debriefing program by the concerned Higher Education Institutions (HEI) which shall include, among others, precautionary measures that will be undertaken by the concerned HEI with the concerned students and parents/guardians if the student is a minor. It also states that “Risk Assessment Procedures for educational tours and/or field trips must also be discussed with concerned students including parents and/or guardians.”
We commend CHED for this very well- written and comprehensive “school field trips guidelines” to guide our HEIs. Since the issues confronting basic education on the conduct of field trips is similar to what is happening in tertiary education, I was asked by the media (and even some co-parents in my children’s school) for the Department of Education (DepEd) to just “totally ban field trips in schools to protect our children from any form of accident that may happen during such activities.” They also asked, “What is the DepEd doing to Prevent such kind of incident from happening?”
The department is guided by at least three DepEd Orders (DO) on this matter: DO 52, Series of 2003; DO 51, Series of 2002; and DO 56, Series of 2001.
The 2003 DO provides for the following guidelines: a) Schools should secure the written consent of parents or student’s guardians; b) no “punitive measures” should be imposed upon those who did not join the field trip; c) the field trip should be well planned ahead of time with the students and that safety measures should be discussed before the field trip; d) places to visit should be educational places, such as natural and historical sites or science exhibits and museums; e) trips to malls and noon- time TV shows are discouraged; f) schools should consider getting sponsors or other sources so that field trips, as much as possible, shall not cause additional financial burden on our parents. This 2003 DO also states that the provisions of the 2001 and 2002 DOs are still effective. Also, our schools divisions are issuing supplemental orders to make sure that the aforementioned guidelines happen.
I distinctly remember how I started reading my science books with greater interest to learn more about the solar system and universe after visiting the Planetarium in Luneta when I was still in grade school; how I appreciated the sacrifices made by our Jose Rizal after seeing his prison at Fort Santiago; and how I understood more the different theories in physics after attending a “science fair” in another science high school.
An educational field trip is not only being done in Philippine basic-education schools; it is a recognized activity to supplement what is learned in our classrooms in the whole world. There is no doubt that not all that students need to learn may be learned in the four corners of their classrooms. We need to balance the theories we learn inside the classrooms with practice outside in the real world.
The solution to the concern raised that we should “protect our children from any form of accident that may happen during such activities” is not totally banning educational field trips. The solution is regulation and monitoring to ensure that our guidelines are being strictly followed.
For any comment or suggestion regarding this article or any education-related concern, please feel free to write the Office of Assistant Secretary Toni Umali, Legal and Legislative Affairs, DepEd Complex, Meralco Avenue, Pasig City or e-mail me at tonisito.umali@deped.gov.ph.
Lawyer Toni Umali is the current assistant secretary for Legal and Legislative Affairs of the Department of Education (DepEd). He is licensed to practice law not only in the Philippines but also in the State of California and some Federal Courts in the United States of America after passing the California State Bar Examinations in 2004. He has served as a legal consultant to several legislators and local chief executives. As DepEd assistant secretary, he was instrumental in the passage of the K to 12 law and the issuance of its implementing rules and regulations. He is also the alternate spokesman of the DepEd.
Toni Umali, Esq. / Assistant Secretary of the Department of Education / EDU-ACTION
3 comments
What is the effect of Field trip in students who cannot join, on parents, in 2008 at the age of 48, i went back to Lyceum Manila to continue my 1st Year College, My Science Teacher Anne Sarmago, Failed me Because I did NOT JOIN the Field Trip, I was Tasked to do projects together with 6 students, whom I paid, but due to lack of time we cannot join the trip. I have to Help Direct a program, 2nd was we are to do a project worth P4,000, then I need to buy a square calendar (as I have a business tour in Macau), my other classmate task is to buy Globe, later I was asked to buy a cellphone as she lost her cellphone, (my 2 sons is my 1st year classmate in lyceum)
Now Being Elected as a PTA Federation President in Pasay City, Interim PTA Confed President of NCR, Interim National PTA organizer. (well verse in goverment dealings, a Custom and power broker)
my 1st task was to ask the division office, about the f’FINACIAL REPORT’ of the Federation PTA, w/c I was Told by Former SDS Puti An, not to look for it and make it on our own. I was offered P5.00.00 per/ student on projects by a school head w/c I did not accept, prompting me to investigate in school projects, (6 field Trip project a year during SDS Putian, and PABAON Field trip on her retirement, announced by faculty teacher & school Heads) this summer tour operators invited me to endorse their projects, (a personal commission of 10 to 20 pesos/student, film showing, sky watch, circus, that they will bring in schools. P35.00 worth project will be Sold by P200.00 180.00 tyo students, and Field Trips worth 400, will be sold from P700-1,000 to students, a 100 to 200 commission or over prize will be given to PTA or the PESPA President. this is the issue and cause of mis understanding in DepEd Public School. OP & Com.
why do a field trip, while they can bring the venue in schools, like sky watch, P35/student, Film showing P35. schools have their AVR complete w/ projectors. there are lot of projects that is wholesome, safe, not expensive that can be done in schools.
All Tour Operators, catering, photographers, should bring their proposals to PTA affairs committee for Bidding approval. (Bidding committee should be PTA Presidents, Faculty Presidents. Commissions should go directly to PTA Funds, PTA Volunteers who have business will be given priority. (transparency will unite PTA) minimize corruption)