Deped working group to review field trip policy

The Department of Education (DepEd) has created a technical working group (TWG) to review and amend all related policies on educational trips following a moratorium it imposed on these activities in public schools two months ago.

Education Secretary Leonor Briones announced the creation of the TWG in a recent memorandum she issued to top DepEd officials, bureau and service directors, regional officers and school division superintendents.

In her memo, Briones instructed the body to convene immediately to take a fresh look at the agency’s existing guidelines on field trips and to update provisions aligning educational excursions and other co-curricular activities with DepEd priorities and ensuring the security and safety of students.

“The TWG shall submit policy recommendations prior [to] the opening of school year 2017-2018,” Briones said.

She appointed Education Undersecretary for Planning and Field Operations Jesus Mateo as chair of the group and Undersecretary for Curriculum and Instruction Planning Service Dina Ocampo as co-chair.

In February, the DepEd temporarily suspended educational tours in all public schools after 15 people, mostly students, died while going to a camp site in Tanay, Rizal.