The Department of Tourism on Friday welcomed the lifting of the moratorium on educational tours and fields trips for college students imposed by the Commission on Higher Education, in the aftermath of a bus accident in Tanay, Rizal sometime in February.
“Educational tours and field trips provide the experiential learning that complements the subjects taught in the classroom setting,” Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo said.
DoT recently initiated a national education forum summit, inviting all stakeholders from the academe, local government units, travel and tour sector, transport sector and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board to discuss measures that will enable quality educational tours while providing a safe and secure environment for the students.
This summit held in the Calabarzon region resulted in the signing of a call to action for cooperation and eventually led to CHED’s lifting of the moratorium.
“A continued suspension of such activity will take away the opportunity of the students to see for themselves the culture, history and natural attractions that make them appreciate their being Filipinos,” Teo pointed out.
This series of regional educational tourism forums was also held in General Santos for the Mindanao regions, in Bicol for both Regions 4-B (Mimaropa) and 5 and in Baguio City for Regions 1, 2 and 3.
Slated to hold their respective fora are Regions 6,7 and 8 in Iloilo and the National Capital Region in Manila on November 26.
“We will continue to be the bridge for these productive dialogues that can improve the content and experience for the students when they go on field trips,” Teo said.
Last February, CHED issued a moratorium on educational field trips for college students after the fatal bus accident in Tanay, Rizal where 14 students were killed and left dozens injured.
In a CHED Memorandum Order signed by Chairperson Patricia Licuanan dated July 25, the moratorium was deemed lifted and all Higher Education Institutions were urged to abide by the set of policies and guidelines in the conduct of off-campus activities “in order to develop holistic experience of students.”