MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Higher Education has lifted the moratorium on the conduct of field trips and other off-campus activities in public and private higher education institutions in the country.
The moratorium, imposed in February following a deadly bus crash in Rizal, was lifted after the CHED chair Patricia Licuanan approved the new policy guidelines on the conduct of off-campus activities.
“All HEIs are given the authority to design, determine and approve the conduct of off-campus activities as part of a duly approved curriculum as noted by CHED and as part of the HEI’s particular context or respective mission,” read the guidelines approved on July 25.
“Such authority of the HEIs however, shall be exercised with paramount consideration given to the safety and welfare of student participants,” it added.
The commission halted the conduct of field trips to revise the guidelines after 15 people died in a bus accident in Tanay, Rizal on February 20.
Most of those who died were students of Bestlink College of the Philippines who are en route to participate in a camping activity as part of their National Training Service Program.
At the time, CHED commissioner J. Prospero de Vera said there was a need to revisit existing guidelines to correct possible deficiencies, such as the span of the coverage of off-campus activities.
Under the new guidelines, HEIs are now required to adopt and implement institutional policies to ensure the safety of the students during off-campus activities.
Institutions are also required to verify the road worthiness of the vehicles to be used and the license of the drivers, submit of required reports or certificates of compliance to CHED regional offices, and comply with different obligations such as faculty-student ratio and loading capacity of transportation.
CHED also prohibited the imposition of punitive sanctions to students who failed to join the activity, as well as the deployment of unqualified personnel-in-charge to join in the trip.
Covered by the memorandum are curricular activities such as field trips and educational tours; participation in degree-program relevant events; and field study, experiential learning and related-learning experience activities.
Also covered are mission-based activities, seminars, conventions, volunteer work, advocacy projects and campaigns, participation in sports activities, inter-school competitions, and culture and arts performances and presentations.
CHED said internships, on-the-job training, and international field trips are not covered by the guidelines.
A joint memorandum circular will also be issued to determine the role of different government agencies in ensuring the safety of the students and provide other services and assistance in the conduct of field trips.
Among the agencies that will join in the issuance of the circular are CHED, the Departments of Tourism and Interior and Local Government, the Land Transportation Office, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, and the League of Cities and Municipalities.