DepEd backs “anti-truancy”

CEBU, Philippines- The Department of Education-Cebu City division is supporting the proposed ordinance seeking to prohibit minor students from loitering outside the school campus during class hours.

DepEd officials, however, want a certain provision in the “Anti-Truancy Ordinance” to be defined and clarified.

DepEd supervisor Danilo Gudelosao specifically pointed out section 4-B of the proposed measure where it states that; “It shall be unlawful for a parent or guardian, teacher and school authorities to knowingly permit, or by insufficient control allow, the student to loiter or stay in any business establishment or public place within the city of Cebu during the school hours.”

Gudelosao said during the public hearing last week that the act declared as illegal or unlawful is “to knowingly permit” or “by insufficient control” in allowing a student to loiter outside the campus and other circumstances.

“We have no problem with the phrase ‘knowingly permit’ but our problem is ‘insufficient control.’ If a teacher advices a student not to go out of school and takes the advice but later on skips [classes], is the advice a control and if so is it sufficient?” he asked.

Gudelosao also read a position paper in behalf of the city schools division superintendent, Dr. Rhea Mar Angtud.

“What other forms of control should a teacher or school authorities exercise, and what are the measures that make the control sufficient? Insofar a violation is concern as to parents, who determines the fact of violation? We understand that subsequent violation is determined by the court,” Gudelosao added.

He said the sanctions under the proposed ordinance should be reviewed to be more specific on the mechanism in the implementation.

Councilor Gerardo Carillo, author of the proposed measure, clarified that a board would be created to draft the specific guidelines on how to implement the measure as soon as it is approved.

He added that the DepEd - Cebu City Division will be a member of the board. The proposed ordinance recognized the need for the city to have a truancy system to protect the interest of the students including their parents or guardians, also to create the Cebu City Truancy Board and a barangay level truancy board.

The City Council terminated the public hearing and requested the business sector through the Cebu Chamber of Commerce; Parents - Teachers Community Association; the educational institutions; and the organization of internet cafés to submit their respective positions papers.

Since the measure involves minors, the City Council also decided to ask opinions on the issue from the Department of Social Welfare and Services and the Department of Social Welfare and Development.  (FREEMAN)