Recollections of Mandated Laws for Educational Institutions’ Tours and Field Trips (PART 2)
February 7, 2015
Section 23, under Article IX on sanctions makes it clear that,” in order to ensure compliance with the guidelines and regulations stated in this CMO, Commission en Banc may, upon the recommendation of the Regional Offices and CHED legal services,impose the following sanctions depending on the nature and seriousness of the violation or non-compliance of Higher Education Institutions. Any HEI found guilty of violating any of the provisions contained in these guidelines may be subjected to the following sanctions: 1st offense ,a written warning;2nd offence is a suspension from conducting educational tours and field trips for a period of time as determined by the Commission en Banc, and the third offense results to the disapproval of the application for other school fees and introduction of fees of HEI; administrative and criminal charges against it/and /or its responsible officers under existing laws and the imposition of penalties such as revocation of permits, downgrading of status, phase-out and such other penalties may be validly imposed by the Commission to concerned HEIs.”
To simplify based from CHED’sCMO No.17 of its policies and guidelines on educational tours and field trips of college and graduate students, the CHED has carefully considered specific rudiments under three essential stages : before, during and after the educational tour or field trips.
Before the field educational tour/visit or field trip, the following standards has to be embedded: that the purpose of the educational activity should be linked with the college’s curriculum, that the educational activity should have been earlier included in College Handbook which were reiterated earlier to freshmen’s General Orientation, that it has to specify the faculty in charge’s designation and roles before, during and after the activity; that it has been appropriately coordinated in advanced with local government units and concerned private offices, that a consultation has been conducted to participating students, faculty and sponsors with documented minutes of meetings and attendees’signatures, that the destination chosen be specified including the cost and benefit requirements, safety and its importance to the subject matter; that the funds and other resources are properly secured and accounted for; that a briefing must be conducted to concerned faculty and students for the purpose of providing the needed information materials;that if applicable, there should be a written plans by the accredited travel agency with the attached Gan Chart duly –approved by the Higher Education Institution; a copy of the itinerary and travel agency’s or tour operator’s accreditation certificate issued by the Department of Transportation (DOT),that individual or group insurance for the students,faculty and other concerned participants must be provided standard format of learning journals must be given to students for documenting their educational activities, that the educational tour or field trip should be reminded to parents one (1) month to two (2) months before the slated date, that a risk assessment plans and preventive measures be provided to students and stakeholders, that waivers / medical clearances of students authentically signed by parents or physician and medical aid kits for the participants are prepared prior to the activity, that the parent/ guardian consent are duly notarized to be submitted prior to the educational tour or trip.
During the educational trip or field trip, it is presumed that parents and guardians of participating students were properly informed of the HEI guidelines about how the tour/trip is conducted; that the program of activities are followed as planned or activities may be adjusted as the need arises, that the letter of Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) that states the coordination which involved Local Government Units (LGUs) and Non-government organizations (NGOs) be at hand.
At the end of the field trip or educational tour, reflections of the learning experiences which are duly documented in the participants’ learning journals are deliberated as the main purpose of the activity; that an assessment report be prepared by the faculty in charge which include the detailed summary of amount used during the educational activity to be submitted to CHED through a filled-in undertaking form and an assessment report to be submitted by students to concerned HEI.
With thesedetailed guidelinesimposed by the CHED, these show clear illustrations on how the interests and safety of participants and organizers are catered and achieved. marvinwacnaglidawan@gmail.com
