Kindergarten classrooms allowed up to second floor

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) has allowed schools to put kindergarten classrooms on the second floor of buildings, provided that they assume responsibility for any accident that may occur.

Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte on Sept. 19 approved the amendment to the omnibus policy on kindergarten education, which previously limited the location of kindergarten classrooms on the ground floor.

“Kindergarten classrooms may be located on the second floor but in all instances can never be higher than the second floor. Classrooms must be beside the nearest entry, exit and emergency access points. Schools shall include in all their information materials including the parent/guardian’s orientation the second floor location of their classroom and its implication during emergency evacuation,” read the amended policy.

“Schools shall assume responsibility for falls, accidents or deaths of kindergarten learners if the incident is directly related by reason of the classroom location on the second floor,” it added.

The policy covers public and private schools nationwide.

Private school ownership

In a separate order, Duterte also approved an amendment to existing policy regarding the ownership of properties where private schools are located.

Under the updated manual of regulations for private schools in basic education, private schools must own the site where facilities are located, as evidenced by a valid certificate of title submitted to the DepEd.

Private schools that cannot present title ownership over the school site must provide other documents showing reasonable bases for continued use of the site, such as deed of sale, donation, usufruct or lease.

“A period of one year shall be allowed, reckoned from the submission of the deed or contract, for the submission of a certified true copy of the title which reflects the annotation of the deed or contract,” read the new policy.

“The presentation of spurious titles and contracts by the school shall cause the automatic denial of their application and/or revocation of their permit. No reason, excuse or requests for reconsideration shall be entertained or accepted,” it added.

Under the previous policy, the secretary of education may issue an exemption regarding the ownership of the school site.