DepEd suspends field trips

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) on Tuesday night announced that it was indefinitely suspending field trips for public schools amid rising concern over the novel coronavirus, which has infected at least three people in the Philippines and caused the death of two others.

The measure was one of many — including the postponement of national events expected to draw thousands of students — announced in a sweeping memorandum issued by a task force  formed by DepEd to deal with the effects of the virus on education.

Travel abroad

“Personnel and learners coming from travel abroad shall comply with the prescribed quarantine procedures of proper government authorities before returning to work or school,” the DepEd memorandum said.

The memo also banned the official travel this month of all DepEd personnel and students to countries with confirmed cases or persons under investigation for the virus, even trips that were previously approved by Education Secretary Leonor Briones.

The department similarly suspended off-campus activities, defined by DepEd as any “authorized activity relevant to learning that takes place outside the school premises, participated by learners and supervised by teachers and/or staff.”

Postponed by DepEd were the National Schools Press Conference, National Festival of Talents and National Science and Technology Fair.

Every Monday

“The department shall periodically evaluate the necessity of suspending such national and regional activities and shall, every Monday and/or when the need arises, announce whether such suspension shall continue,” the DepEd said.

Contrary to earlier statements in a Senate hearing, however, DepEd said its flagship Palarong Pambansa would still push through as scheduled in Marikina City in May.

The agency also reiterated that the suspension of classes is up to the discretion of local governments or institutions themselves, in the case of private schools.

Many schools are already struggling to catch up, however, after suspensions prompted by the eruption of Taal Volcano.