To further instill relevant life skills, the Department of Education (DepEd) has established its guidelines on providing Basic Life Support (BLS) training for basic education learners.
DepEd recently issued the Implementing Rules and Regulation (IRR) for RA 10871 or the “Basic Life Support Training in Schools Act” that covers all public and private basic education schools and institutions, including Alternative Learning Systems (ALS) learning centers.
“Life support training is a vital life skill that provides students with the knowledge of dealing with medical emergencies. A prompt and appropriate first aid can save a life and empowering our children with this basic skill could mean more lives can be saved in times of emergency or disaster,” Education Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones said.
Under the IRR, DepEd will include training programs developed by the Department of Health (DOH), the Philippine Heart Association (PHA), and the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC).
The said training should be nationally-recognized, evidence-based guidelines for emergency cardiovascular care and psychomotor training to support age-appropriate instructions.
In addition, schools will incorporate BLS training as part of their comprehensive health and physical education curriculum. The subjects where BLS training may be integrated may include but are not limited to, science, health, and physical education.
The said BLS curriculum should also be gender and culture-sensitive and consistent with DepEd’s Child Protection Policy and Program.
Students can also learn through the use of psychomotor training in an age-appropriate manner to develop their physical skills such as movement, coordination, manipulation, dexterity, strength, and speed guided by signals from the environment.
In addition, according to the IRR, DepEd shall ensure that proper government agencies and stakeholders are consulted in the development of teaching and learning materials.
Furthermore, schools are encouraged to partner with other schools, Local Government Units (LGUs), or government agencies and private organizations that have the necessary provisions, facilities, and equipment to ensure that the BLS training and programs mandated by the Act are properly implemented.
“This could also provide BLS training to all DepEd personnel, especially to our Physical Education and Health teachers, to make them more efficient and effective in conducting BLS training to our learners,” Briones added. (DEPED)-rir
