DepEd Order No. 44, s. 2005: Declaration of Schools as Zones of Peace

This page brings together two DepEd issuances on keeping schools safe from armed conflict. DepEd Order No. 44, s. 2005, dated August 8, 2005, declares all schools “Zones of Peace.” DepEd Memorandum No. 109, s. 2017, dated June 15, 2017, repeats that order after the violence in Marawi City and the bombings and firefights near schools in Mankayan, Benguet, which disrupted classes. The memorandum also launches a nationwide awareness campaign.

On this page 6 sections

Key points

• Schools are Zones of Peace. DepEd declares schools to be places where children can receive the highest level of security and peace.
• Legal basis. The order cites Republic Act No. 7610, which declares children as Zones of Peace, and Republic Act No. 9155, which sets DepEd’s purpose of establishing schools and learning centers where children and other learners can learn.
• DepEd’s role. DepEd provides basic education directly to Filipino children. It is also a member of the Inter-Agency Committee on Children Involved in Armed Conflict (IAC-CIAC), under the oversight of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP).
• Schools are neutral ground. The 2017 memorandum states that schools around the world are treated as neutral zones, even in areas of intense armed conflict. They should be free from armed combatants on any side.
• Support for displaced learners. About 20,000 learners were believed to be displaced in Marawi City. For them, DepEd extended enrolment until the end of June and waived the usual documentary requirements.

Who it covers

DO No. 44, s. 2005 is addressed to DepEd undersecretaries, assistant secretaries, bureau and service directors, regional directors, schools division and city superintendents, and heads of public elementary and secondary schools.

DM No. 109, s. 2017 is addressed to the Regional Secretary of ARMM, regional directors, schools division superintendents, and heads of both public and private elementary and secondary schools.

What schools and offices need to do

Under DO No. 44, s. 2005, all personnel in the Central and field offices must take the steps needed to make every school a place where children can receive the highest level of security and peace.

Under DM No. 109, s. 2017:

1. Schools post the official Zones of Peace tarpaulins, sized three by eight feet. They put at least two at the front gate, one on each side, and more on the other sides of the school so the message is easy to see.
2. Schools division and regional offices help reproduce the tarpaulins and make sure every school and office has posted them.
3. All personnel, stakeholders, and the community take part in peace-building efforts, or start their own, to keep learners, personnel, and schools safe.
4. Offices and schools build partnerships with local government units, local media, and other stakeholders to support the campaign.

Both issuances call for immediate dissemination. The order also calls for immediate compliance.

Full text: DepEd Order No. 44, s. 2005

August 08, 2005

DepEd Order No. 44, s. 2005

Declaration of Schools as Zones of Peace

To:

• Undersecretaries
• Assistant Secretaries
• Bureau Directors
• Directors of Services/Centers and Heads of Units
• Regional Directors
• Schools Division/City Superintendents
• Heads, Public Elementary and Secondary Schools
• All Others Concerned

1. Whereas, under Republic Act No. 7610, known as the “Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act”, states that “… Children are hereby declared as Zones of Peace. It shall be the responsibility of the State and all other sectors concerned to resolve armed conflicts in order to promote the goal of children as zones of peace …” (Article X, Sec. 22).
2. Whereas, under Republic Act No. 9155, known as the “Governance on Basic Education Act of 2001”, one of the purposes and objectives of the Department of Education (DepED) is “to establish schools and learning centers as facilities where schoolchildren are able to learn a range of core competencies prescribed for elementary and high school education programs or where the out-of-school youth and adult learners are provided alternative learning programs and receive accreditation for at least the equivalent of a high school education” [Sec. 3(g)],
3. Whereas, the DepED is a direct service provider to Filipino children by providing quality basic education and is also a member of the Inter-Agency Committee in Children Involved in Armed Conflict (IAC-CIAC), which is under the oversight of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP).
4. Therefore, DepED affirms its commitment for the children by declaring the “Schools as Zones of Peace”.
5. Furthermore, all concerned personnel in the Central and field offices are mandated to make necessary actions to make all schools a place where children can receive utmost security and peace.
6. Immediate dissemination of and compliance with this Order is directed.

FE A. HIDALGO
Undersecretary
Officer-in-Charge

Full text: DepEd Memorandum No. 109, s. 2017

June 15, 2017

DepEd Memorandum No. 109, s. 2017

Public Manifestation of DepEd’s Declaration of Schools as Zones of Peace, as a Reiteration of DepEd Order No. 44, s. 2005

To:

• Regional Secretary, ARMM
• Regional Directors
• Schools Division Superintendents
• Public and Private Elementary and Secondary Schools Heads
• All Others Concerned

1. Due to the recent incidents of violence and armed conflict in Marawi City and the bombings and firefights near schools in Mankayan Town in Benguet, both of which resulted in the disruption of classes, the Department of Education (DepEd) deems it essential and timely to reiterate DepEd Order (DO) No. 44, s. 2005 entitled Declaration of Schools as Zones of Peace.
2. In the case of Marawi City, where as much as 20,000 learners are believed to be displaced, the Department has initiated interventions to accommodate these learners by extending enrolment until the end of June, and waiving the usual documentary requirements. DepEd believes that education must never stop, and instead should continue for these children to provide them hope, and bring back a sense of normalcy.
3. Worldwide, schools are universally treated as neutral zones despite being in the middle of intense armed conflict areas, and are free from the presence of armed combatants regardless of what side they are from. It is imperative that this point be stressed, and that the schools be accorded the same respect. Schools are places for learning, caring, and nurturing—a true second home for the learners.
4. Apart from reiterating the aforementioned DO, DepEd is also initiating a nationwide awareness campaign anchored on Schools as Zones of Peace.
5. In light of this, the following are instructed:
   • a. All schools are instructed to post the official tarpaulin designs size three by eight feet (copy enclosed) declaring schools as Zones of Peace, at least two on both sides of the school front gate, and on all other sides of or around the school to make the message prominent and noticeable;
   • b. Schools division and regional offices should assist in the reproduction of the aforementioned tarpaulins and ensure that all schools and offices have posted the said posters;
   • c. The Department enjoins all personnel, stakeholders and the community as a whole to actively participate in and/or establish peace building initiatives to ensure the safety of the learners, personnel, and schools; and
   • d. Encourage partnership and parallel efforts with respective local government units, local media, and other stakeholders to take part in the campaign.
6. Immediate dissemination of this Memorandum is desired.

LEONOR MAGTOLIS BRIONES
Secretary

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