Parents must cooperate with school authorities

DIRECTOR’S Cut: (This portion features the thoughts of Atty. Alberto T. Escobarte, CESO IV, Regional Director, DepED Region 11 to all stakeholders and recipients of the efforts to improve the basic education). "Let me assure you that in the performance of my official duties and even my private acts will be guided and guarded by my Oath of Office, The Panunumpa ng Kawani ng Gobyerno, the Philippine Constitution and all the laws that govern our actions.” Following the ill-fated accident that killed college students in a field work in Tanay, Rizal, the Department of Education (Deped) is asking the parents to provide time for the welfare of their children by attending school meetings or parent-teacher conferences so that they will be informed on school policies and other concerns.

Deped Undersecretary Jesus Mateo in an interview emphasized that parents should participate in school conferences, especially during the opening of classes, to meet the teachers and prin- cipals and be aware of school policies.

Mateo pointed out that parentteacher conferences are where the policies, rules and regulations of the school are being discussed, so he told them to be involved in school activities, to attend meetings and be informed.

The Deped official added that it is during school meetings that teachers discuss the activities for the year. This is also the time for parents to raise questions and clarifications or make suggestions, such as on the conduct of field trips.

Mateo mentioned that the Deped National Capital Region (NCR) is implementing the policy in schools divisions by creating a committee on field trip evaluation.

Mateo said that the task of the committee is to examine the field trip proposals submitted by the public elementary and secondary schools under their jurisdiction before allowing them to proceed.

Usec. Mateo further said that the committee, as a practice, evaluates the relevance of the activity to the lessons, including the values to be derived from it. Safety measures of the children are included in the guidelines for evaluation.

The Deped reiterates its policy that school field trips are not mandatory. Moreover, schools are ordered to refrain from conducting punitive activities that put to disadvantage or affect the academic standing of students who are

unable to join.

Deped on its website, mentioned that the policies on educational tours are based on Deped Orders No. 56 s. 2001, No. 51 s. 2002, and No. 52 s. 2003.

This Corner hopes that parents will cooperate with the school authorities to abate another unfortunate incident that may happen if left with complacency over their responsibilities towards their children. You can access Deped Updates, latest issuances, photos and other relevant information through our website: http:// www.deped.gov.ph and our Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/deped.regionxi. For comments, suggestions and/or contributions, send your email to region11@deped.gov. ph. For queries, complains and other concerns for the different schools divisions email them to davao.city@deped.gov.ph, davao.delsur@deped.gov.ph, davao.delnorte@deped.gov. ph, tagum.city@deped.gov. ph, panabo.city@deped.gov. ph, igacos@deped.gov.ph, davao.oriental@deped.gov. ph, digos.city@deped.gov.ph, mati.city@deped.gov.ph and compostela.valley@deped.gov.ph.