Philippine DepEd issues new measures after child murder

Teachers in public schools must keep children on school premises until parents, relatives and or parents' representatives arrive to pick them up.

By Minerva BC Newman

CEBU, PHILIPPINES (Philippines Information Services) - February 27, 2011 -- The Department of Education (DepEd) Cebu Provincial division issued recently, safety measures in schools in the aftermath of the abduction and murder of 6-year old Ellah Joy Pique.

DepEd-Cebu disivion pre-school coordinator Vina Salomon informed the members of the Provincial Council for the Welfare of Children (PCWC) that DepEd-Cebu has issued a memorandum circular for safety measures guidelines to all public elementary and high schools in the province.

The guidelines call for all teachers in public schools to keep the children on school premises until parents, relatives and or parents’ representatives are there to pick the children up.

DepEd also requires all parents, relatives and representatives or Yayas to submit identification cards to the management of the school because it will enforce the identification system in all public schools in Cebu.

Salomon added that every day during flag ceremonies, a reminder is read to remind all children not to speak or go with strangers if they are lured to come with them outside of the schools.

Salomon said these safety measures were agreed upon by the members of the federation of Parents-Teachers Community Associations in the province.

In a recent PCWC meeting, Provincial Board Member Agnes Magpale also revealed that the Sanggunian

Panglungsod passed a resolution requesting all barangay captains to assign Tanods in every public elementary school in the province to somehow deter crime and protect the children.