The Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) on Friday issued a clarification on its moratorium on field trips, citing activities excluded from the halt.
CHEd clarified in a statement that international and local internships that are referred to as on-the-job training programs, practicum, field instruction, field study and ship board training are excluded from the coverage of moratorium, as well as international educational trips and educational linkages.
On Tuesday, the Commission issued a memo imposing a moratorium on field trips and educational tours in all higher education institutions (HEIs) to give way to an investigation on the bus crash that killed 15 people in Tanay, Rizal, and a review of policies on such trips.
READ: CHED halts field trips, educational tours after Tanay bus crash
It also said that in CHEd Memorandum No. 17, series of 2012, that concerned Higher Education Institutions are advised to immediately seek clarification from the CHEd Regional Office (CHEDRO) for other school activities not identified.
Under CMO No. 17, s. 2012, HEIs are required to report to the respective CHEd regional office on the nature of the educational tours or field trips, including the purpose, schedule, destinations and cost at least a month before the opening of classes for every academic year.
Meanwhile, the Department of Education also followed suit, suspending field trips in all public schools for the rest of the school year to give way to a review of existing policies covering the educational excursions. CDG/rga