By MERLINA MALIPOT
The Department of Education (DepEd) has lifted the moratorium on educational field trips with the issuance of new implementing guidelines on the conduct of off-campus activities for all public and private elementary and secondary schools.
This order was issued by Education Secretary Leonor Briones, in DepEd Order No. 66 series of 2017 issued last December 27. It announced that the DepEd Memorandum No. 47 series of 2017 or the “Moratorium on Educational Field trips and Other Similar Activities” has been lifted upon the effectivity of guidelines on the conduct of co-curricular and extra-curricular off-campus activities for both public and private schools nationwide.
Briones said that the new guidelines are issued “in support of the K to 12 curriculum implementation.” She also stressed that “all co-curricular and extra-curricular activities” should adhere to the new guidelines set by the DepEd.
Particularly, all public and private schools are asked to “ensure relevance and alignment with the educational competencies of the K to 12 Curriculum and leadership development of learners.”
The order also asked that schools “uphold child protection principles and that no learner shall be disadvantaged in any form;” and “observe the safety and security protocols for all participants before, during and after the activity.”
DepEd said participation in co-and extra-curricular activities will be voluntary. “No learner shall be required to participate in any off-campus activity,” DepEd stressed.
The guidelines also directed that “all co-curricular and extra-curricular shall have no grade requirement.” Likewise, “all non-participating learners shall not be required with any special projects and/ or examination or any form of school requirements.”
It was noted that the school head “shall ensure that off-campus activities will, in no way, disrupt classes.”
Travel insurance will now be mandatory. DepEd said “securing travel insurance is mandatory for all off-campus activities” thus, “no one shall be allowed to join off-campus activities without travel insurance.”
