No more malls, TV shows in QC pupils’ itinerary

No more school field trips to swimming pools, amusement parks or TV variety shows for Quezon City elementary pupils.

A recently approved Quezon City ordinance calls on public elementary schools to limit their field trips to educational sites within Metro Manila or other places outside the capital that are certified by the National Historical Commission.

“Field trips must have as their goal the enhancement of student knowledge and skills, as well as complementing and supplementing the adopted curriculum,” according to the measure authored by Councilor Julienne Alyson Rae Medalla.

“Despite sincere efforts on the part of both the national and local government units to regulate the conduct of educational field trips, there are still reports of some  trips being disadvantageous for poor families, conducted in far-flung areas, and of little educational significance,” it added.

Ordinance No. 2296 disallows itineraries that include more leisurely venues like resorts, amusement parks, shopping malls and TV studios. Instead of taking them to such places, children should be exposed to historic places or heritage sites preferably within the city, it said.

The local law imposes a fine of P1,000 to P5,000 on any school that would violate the policy. A third offense would also result in the suspension of all subsequent field trips until the next academic year. Jaymee T. Gamil