DepEd bans students in malls, internet cafes, cinemas during class hours

Tacloban City (June 23) — The Department of Education is now prohibiting all students of public and private elementary and secondary schools from going to computer shops, malls, theaters, and other similar establishment during class hours.

Through DepEd Order No. 86 series of 2010 issued on June 18, 2010, Education Secretary Mona Valisno directed all school officials and employees concerned to institute and implement the necessary mechanism on the school discipline applicable under the situation.

Secretary Valisno said the school officials should monitor closely those students who are absent or cut class often. DepEd is aware of the prevailing situation that there are students in the elementary and secondary levels from public and private schools who go to computer shops, malls, theaters, and the likes during their class hours while in their school uniforms.

To carry out the ban effectively, Education Secretary Mona Valisno directed said school officials and teachers concerned to communicate and coordinate with their respective local government officials so that both parties could work on a possible enactment or implementation of the appropriate legislation to implement this. These legislations may be in the form of regulating the distance of computer shops, malls, theaters and the likes from schools, she added.

The directive may also be sent to the owners of these establishments not to allow entry of students during their respective class hours. The LGUs can ask the owners of these shops and malls to check first the class schedules of the student trying to enter the establishment, Secretary Valisno said.

Secretary Valisno said schools should accordingly provide their students with certified copies of their respective class schedules.

The Education Secretary also urged the school officials and teachers to provide their students with worthwhile and productive activities, particularly those that can enhance the creative and communicative skills such as debate or their creative skills such as dramatic activities and theatrical programs, which can be done during the free time of the students in school. (PIA