By Brian Campued
The Department of Education (DepEd) on Tuesday reminded schools to strictly enforce the existing policy that prohibits the use of gadgets during class hours.
In a memorandum dated June 30, the department reiterated the implementation of DepEd Order No. 006, s. 2026, or the Guidelines on Ensuring a Safe and Motivating Learning Environment (ESMLE), which was issued on March 24.
Under the order, the use of cellphones and other portable electronic devices by both learners and personnel during instructional hours is prohibited to “minimize distractions and maintain the integrity of the learning environment.”
It likewise prohibits the usage of, but is not limited to, social media, online games, content creation, and vlogging during class hours.
However, exemptions are allowed in “meritorious” cases, particularly for academic purposes, such as accessing educational platforms and digital resources or participating in authorized online collaborative activities, as well as during emergencies, including disasters, medical crises, and other immediate safety concerns.
On Monday, Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian renewed his call to ban the use of smartphones and other electronic devices during class hours for Kindergarten to Senior High School students in both public and private schools.
Under Senate Bill No. 627 or the proposed Electronic Gadget-Free Schools Act, exemptions are provided when gadgets are needed for educational purposes, including classroom presentations and other teacher-directed learning activities, as well as for students with specific health conditions and during emergencies or situations involving a perceived threat or danger.
Aside from the gadget ban, Sen. Gatchalian is also pushing for a social media ban for minors amid a rise in violent incidents in schools.
Malacañang earlier expressed its support for efforts to limit gadget use in schools to improve academic performance of students, particularly the proposal of Dumanjug, Cebu Mayor Gungun Gica, calling for a total cellphone ban in schools.
-jpv
