On the third and final reading, a measure seeking to regulate the conduct of off-campus educational activities by public and private schools has been approved by the House of Representatives.
The House Bill 8737 or the proposed Off-Campus Education Act has gained 202 lawmakers in favor, while six voted against and none abstained during the plenary session on Monday.
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According to the bill, any off-campus educational activities undertaken outside the premises of the institution are curricular or non-curricular activities only. It further expounds that no off-campus activities shall be undertaken unless they are relevant and aligned with the educational competencies of the curriculum, or necessary to the acquisition of relevant knowledge, skills, and values of the learners.
It also states that participating in such activities should be voluntary. In cases where a participant can’t take part in the off-campus activity, it won’t in any way constitute a failure of completion or put the learner at a disadvantage.
The Department of Education (DepEd) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) is also mandated by the bill to identify and accredit venues or destinations where educational institutions may conduct off-campus activities. Suitability of the venue or activity in relation to the program requirement and learning objectives; carrying capacity of the venue; sufficiency of amenities and other facilities for the comfort of the learners; and adequacy of protective protocols on site to ensure security and safety shall be strictly considered.
A penalty will be imposed by the bill if an educational institution conducts off-campus activities outside the accredited off-campus venues.
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