By Merlina Hernando-Malipot
The Department of Education (DepEd) clarified that work immersion for Senior High School (SHS) students and other related activities are not suspended following its directive to cancel off-campus activities involving learners due to the 2019 novel coronavirus acute respiratory disease (2019-nCoV ARD) threat.
(MANILA BULLETIN)
DepEd Undersecretary for Administration Alain Pascua said that SHS work immersion is “not included in suspension” of activities since it “does not fall under” the off-campus activities as defined by DepEd in its DO no. 66 series of 2017.
Work immersion is one of the course requirements for graduation, according to the guidelines set by DepEd. An SHS student has to undergo Work immersion in an industry that directly relates to the student’s post-secondary goal.
The work immersion is a subject for SHS students or Grades 11 and 12. Learners are required to do work immersion of at least 80 hours. As a pre-requisite, students should have taken at least four (4) Specialized Subjects
Through Work Immersion, DepEd said that students are exposed to and become familiar with work-related environment related to their field of specialization to enhance their competence.
Specifically, the students are able to gain relevant and practical industrial skills under the guidance of industry experts and workers; appreciate the importance and application of the principles and theories taught in school; enhance their technical knowledge and skills; enrich their skills in communications and human relations; and develop good work habits, attitudes, appreciation, and respect for work through the work immersion. “These prepare them to meet the needs and challenges of employment or higher education after graduation,” DepEd said.
As a preventive measure against the 2019-nCoV ARD, DepEd also suspended activities involving all learners and teachers - particularly those national and regional activities that are scheduled this February.
Earlier, Education Secretary Leonor Briones issued the DepEd Memorandum No. 015 series of 2020 or the First Set of Policy Directives of DepEd Task Force nCoV which outlines the initiatives of the department in addressing concerns of school and policy changes that may arise due to the 2019-nCoV ARD threat.
Aside from regional and national activities, DepEd also ordered that the conduct of field trips, educational tours, and other off-campus or out-school-activities will be temporarily suspended following the recent developments of the 2019-nCoV ARD in the country.
“While only public schools are covered by the memorandum, private schools are highly encouraged to adopt the precautionary measures contained in the DM no. 15 s. of 2020,” Pascua ended.
Read more: DepEd suspends activities involving students, teachers amid nCoV threat