MANILA, Philippines -- Students should be “insulated” from politics, Education Secretary Jesli Lapus said, as he appealed to political groups and personalities not to bring their battle over the national broadband deal to the campus grounds.

Speaking in the Newsmakers forum at the Crown Plaza hotel, Lapus appealed to schools and organizations to keep away from students in the wake of Senate witness Rodolfo Noel Lozada Jr.’s campus tours.

The Senate star witness in the controversial $329-million National Broadband Network deal has been going around schools to discuss the corruption in government and to rally the students’ support.

Former Elections chief Benjamin Abalos Sr., whom Lozada accused of brokering the deal with Chinese firm ZTE Corp. and demanding kickbacks, has expressed intention to visit schools so that his side on the issue can be heard.

Lapus said the Department of Education (DepEd) bars public schools from holding political and partisan events in their campuses.

“We will not allow political exercises in schools, like if they are calling for the downfall of an administration, etc.,” Lapus said.

“These are (youngsters with ages ranging from) 15 to 16, they are not even voting, their minds are young. As we always say, please insulate basic education from politics.” Lapus added.

“If political talk inside the classroom is treated as an academic discussion, that’s okay. But if it will disrupt classes or influence the students, we appeal not to include them,” Lapus said.

Lapus stressed that “education must proceed uninterrupted and protected."

"We lack focus here, let’s not drag the basic education in the turmoil,” he added.

At the same time, Lapus reminded private schools who have cut classes for mass protests and who have invited Lozada to speak to ensure that they comply with the required school days.

Teachers are always allowed to join the mass demonstrations but they should do it after school hours to avoid disruption in their classes, Lapus noted.