Educational field trips can supplement classroom instruction. But this depends on the places visited, i.e. cultural, historical and scientific interest such as the National Museum, Museo Pambata, provincial/local museums, Science Centrum, Planetarium, zoological/botanical gardens, historical sites/shrines, model manufacturing or technological firms or scientific sites.
June 23, 2003
DepEd Order No. 52, s. 2003
TABLE OF CONTENTS
POLICY ON EDUCATIONAL FIELD TRIPS
(Supplemental to DECS Order No. 56, s. 2001 and DepEd Order No. 51, s. 2002)
To:
Bureau Directors
Regional Directors
Schools Division/City Superintendents
District Supervisors
Heads, Public and Private Elementary and Secondary School Principals
1. With reference to field trips and other forms of outing, the following guidelines are being issued in addition to those contained in DECS ORDER No. 56, s. 2001 and DepEd Order No. 51, s. 2002 (copies enclosed);
a. No field-trip should be undertaken without the written consent of the parents, or student’s guardians;
b. Where a majority joins the field trip, there should be no punitive measures or activities such as tests related to the trip, that will put the students who could not join the field trip at a disadvantage. They should be given activities in school to compensate for their inability to join the field trip;
c. The field trip should be well planned ahead of time with the students, so that they know exactly what to look for in the field trip. Safety measures should be discussed before the field trip;
d. Places to visit should be educational places, such as cultural and historical sites or science exhibits in museums which complement or supplement classroom lessons;
e. Trips to malls and attendance at noon time TV shows, especially during class hours are discouraged;
f. As much as possible, field trips should not put an additional financial burden on the parents. Possible sponsors or other sources can be tapped for the purpose; and
g. Attention is called to the other provisions of the previous DepEd ‘Orders on field trips which still hold true.
2. Immediate dissemination of and compliance with this Order is directed.
EDILBERTO C. DE JESUS
Secretary
December 20, 2001
DepEd Order No. 56, s. 2001
POLICY ON EDUCATIONAL FIELD TRIPS
To:
Burean Directors
Regional Directors
Schools Division/City Superintendents Public Elementary and Secondary School Principals
In view of queries on the holding of field trips by public schools in the light of the policy of no collection of fees during enrolment, the following clarification is being made:
1. This Office has not issued any circular banning the holding of educational field trips by public schools.
2. Educational field trips can supplement classroom instruction. But this depends on the places visited, i.e. cultural, historical and scientific interest such as the National Museum, Museo Pambata, provincial/local museums, Science Centrum, Planetarium, zoological/botanical gardens, historical sites/shrines, model manufacturing or technological firms or scientific sites.
3. Recognizing, however that such trips involve certain monetary costs which may be unaffordable to students coming from poor families and who therefore are not able to join, teachers should refrain from conducting tests based on these field trips. Should it be decided that tests will be held based on these field trips, students who were unable to join such trips should not be penalized; they shall be given special tests or assignments as substitutes for not joining the field trip.
4. School heads are encouraged to tap external sources such as local government units, civic organizations and PTCAs to help fund educational field trips and arrange for group or student discounts in order to reduce the burden on students.
5. Those responsible for organizing the field trips should secure the consent of parents for their children to join the field trip since the children are under the stewardship of the school.
October 25, 2002
DepEd Order No. 51, s. 2002
POLICY ON EDUCATIONAL FIELD TRIPS (Supplement to DepEd Order No. 56 s. 2001)
To:
Bureau Directors/Regional Directors
Schools Division/City Superintendents
District Supervisors
Public and Private Elementary and Secondary School Principals
In light of the recent vehicular accident in Isabela resulting in the death of several elementary schoolchildren who went on an educational field trip, the following guidelines are being issued in addition to those contained in DepEd Order No. 56 s. 2001 (copy attached):
1. Written consent from parents of schoolchildren joining the field trip should always be secured.
2. School teachers should always accompany the schoolchildren from the time they assemble for the field trip up to the time they leave for their respective homes. Parent volunteers should also be encouraged to join the field trip to help in looking after the schoolchildren.
3. The principal or teacher responsible for organizing the field trip should select the safest means of transportation. Passengers should be loaded into the vehicle in accordance with the maximum passenger capacity. Schoolchildren should not be allowed to ride on the roof of motor vehicles or on the boarding platform (“sabit”).
4. Drivers should be advised to drive with extreme care considering the number of schoolchi Idren-passengers. Furthermore they should be advised against taking any alcoholic drinks for the entire duration of the field trip.
5. If the field trip involves swimming or some other recreational activity or sport after the visit to the places of interest, teachers (or lifeguards in the case of swimming) should be strategically stationed to watch over the schoolchildren.
6. To the extent that resources would allow, the school principals or teachers should arrange for optional accident insurance coverage for the school children who will join the field trip.
This issuance repeals DepEd Order Nos. 87 and 52, s. 2003, 5, s. 2002 and 56, s. 2001. All other related issuances, rules and regulations, as well as provisions which are inconsistent with this policy are hereby repealed, rescinded, or modified accordingly.
Read: Updated DepEd Guidelines on the Conduct of Off-Campus Activities