Drug prevention lesson plans now available to teachers
The Department of Education (DepEd) has directed public school teachers to use a set of detailed lesson plans that it developed in line with its efforts to strengthen drug prevention education in public schools.
The lesson plans, which may be downloaded online, “contain a detailed description of the steps on how a teacher will teach the topics focusing on life skills,” according to Education Secretary Leonor Briones.
She said these would help the teachers manage instructions effectively to ensure that learning is evident inside their classrooms.
“The DepEd has been a strong advocate of demand reduction of dangerous substances and educating about the health and social consequences of drug abuse,” Brio- nes said.
“There are ongoing efforts to align with international standards such as the universal prevention curriculum for substance use to further strengthen the department’s program in the area of curriculum and instruction,” she added.
The lesson plans as well as a separate preventive drug education policy were issued days after Briones and other DepEd officials met with the leadership of the Dangerous Drugs Board, Philippine National Police and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
In the meeting, Briones stood firm on their position against PDEA’s proposal to conduct mandatory drug tests on grade 4 pupils and students on higher levels.
Instead, she vowed to focus on the agency’s mandate to strengthen preventive drug education among students.
The DepEd instructed class advisers to use the lesson plans starting this week. They were also encouraged to provide more contextualization during discussions with students.
Advisers have to submit monthly reports which will then be consolidated by the designated guidance counselors in schools for submission to the division offices. Positive messaging The government’s preventive drug education policy in schools will be delivered to students through interactive methods and positive messaging, according to the DepEd.
It said the program is developmentally appropriate, culture-sensitive and evidencebased.
“Preventive drug education is a whole-school issue, and promoting a drug-free learning environment that supports student development and academic achievement is everyone’s responsibility,” the policy read.
“Drug-related learning outcomes should be anchored on learning areas such as health education and edukasyon sa pagpapakatao (values education) to ensure progression and continuity, but preventive drug education concepts should be integrated with other learning areas,” it added.