A total of 72 percent CAYSmerinians refused the school’s plan that teachers can contact their parents ‘immediately’ in case of emergencies, as 54 percent of students disagreed to the No Cellphone Policy imposed by the Department of Education (DepEd.)
In a survey conducted by The Echoes, 86 out of 122 respondents said they do not believe that school authorities could reach out their parents in times of calamities, while 34 students agreed to the school’s strategy in disaster preparedness.
“Students need cellphones in case of emergencies, and I think not of all teachers can contact the parents when it is needed. If the students have their phones already, it will be more convenient.” Andrez Malate, Grade 9 student explained.
The Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) once pointed out during the 2017 earthquake drill that the school is vulnerable to hazards including earthquakes, landslides, and road accidents, considering it is constructed on top of a slope.
Lucila Velasco, the school’s teacher, however, emphasized the administration’s plan of contacting students’ parents in times of emergencies.
“Ang advisers naman kasi ay mayroong contact number ng kanilang mga magulang, Kaya kumbaga,doon sa loob ng classroom si adviser, mayroong contact number ng mga magulang at i-te-text na iyon, so anyway mayroon naman tayong mga group chat ang mga parents at advisers nila, mas madali ang info dissemination.” Velasco said.
Moreover, 63 percent of CAYSmerinians disapproved the efficiency of the school’s communication method to the parents, while 37 percent approved the strategy.
Meanwhile, the survey also showed that 74 percent of students still believe that mobile phone usage in the school are for educational purposes instead for leisure time, however, 70 percent of CAYSmerinians agreed that the policy would further discipline the students if consistently monitored.
The prohibition of using phones is mandated by the No Cellphone Policy or DepEd order 83 series of 2003 which bans the elementary and secondary students from the usage of mobile devices during class hours.
In addition, Velasco stressed that CAYSmerinians who will be caught on using cellphones would surrender their device to the guidance office, which the parents would claim instead of the students.
THE ECHOES 