DepEd to issue moratorium on field trips

The Department of Education (DepEd) will issue a moratorium on field trips in all public and elementary and secondary schools until June 2017.

This, following the tragic bus accident that claimed the lives of college students in Tanay, Rizal on Monday.

The decision was reached in consultation with regional directors in a meeting with DepEd Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones.

The moratorium will be for three to four months to allow the review of existing department policies on field trips.

The review will cover alignment of field trips to learning outcomes, security and safety, and responsibilities and accountability not only of schools but also of parents and of other relevant government agencies.

For schools that have secured permits and where contracts have already been perfected prior to the moratorium, they may push through with the scheduled educational field trips, provided that existing guidelines especially on safety are strictly followed.

DepEd earlier reminded parents, school officials and personnel that while educational field trips are meant to supplement classroom learning, joining such is not mandatory.

• DepEd: Educational field trips not mandatory

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has also barred colleges and universities from carrying out field trips following the Tanay accident.