UPDATE:Dep Ed will start drug testing in September. The exact date and schools will not be published. Out of 27 Million students, 60,000 will undergo drug testing.
Junior and senior high school students will be tested. It is the school's responsibility to inform parents and students about the procedures of the drug testing. Staff and teachers will undergo drug testing too!
The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has allowed all higher education institutions (HEIs) to conduct Mandatory Drug Testing starting the incoming school year 2018-2019. CHED memorandum order No. 64 was signed by Chairperson Patricia Licuanan on August 2, giving support of the government's unrelenting war against illegal drugs.
The memorandum contains the newly laid-out guidelines for the mandatory drug test. Just to be clear, the order states that "HEIs are not required to implement mandatory drug tests, but they are strongly encouraged by CHED to adopt it as part of their institutional requirements of their admission and retention policies."
Meanwhile, the Department of Education also released a memo last August 8, detailing the guidelines for implementing Random Drug Testing in Public and Private Secondary Schools starting SY 2017-2018 onward.
The guidelines are detailed below:
The memorandum contains the newly laid-out guidelines for the mandatory drug test. Just to be clear, the order states that "HEIs are not required to implement mandatory drug tests, but they are strongly encouraged by CHED to adopt it as part of their institutional requirements of their admission and retention policies."
Meanwhile, the Department of Education also released a memo last August 8, detailing the guidelines for implementing Random Drug Testing in Public and Private Secondary Schools starting SY 2017-2018 onward.
The guidelines are detailed below:
Mandatory Drug Test For College
- Mandatory Drug Testing in Higher Educational Institutions is NOT REQUIRED by CHED but is strongly encouraged. Colleges and universities MAY INCLUDE mandatory drug testing as part of its requirements for admission and retention.
- Local Government Units, the PNP or any other law enforecement agency may carry out any drug-related operation within the school premises only upon prior written approval and coordination with the HEI.
- Drug testing should only done by accredited drug-testing facilities and staff. A school clinic may apply for accreditation.
- The actual drug testing shall be done randomly in compliance with the Dangerous Drugs Board Regulation No. 6, series of 2003 and No. 3 series of 2009. The personal privacy and dignity of students should be respected and guaranteed. The results shall be confidential and CANNOT BE USED in any criminal proceedings.
- All HEIs intending to implement mandatory drug testing of students shall conduct prior student consultation with the student council/government or with not more than ten selected students from recognized organizations in the absence of a student council.
- The consultation must be completed by end of February before the next Academic Year of implementation (For AY 2018-2019, end of consultation is Feb 2018)
- In case the test result is positive, the school's Drug Testing Coordinator shall inform both the parent and the student concerned that a confirmatory test shall be conducted.
- If the confirmatory test is still positive, the result shall not be a basis for disciplinary action.
- A student found to be drug dependent shall undergo sanction, intervention and or rehabilitation as may be provided in the Student Handbook and other school policies.
- Test results, positive and negative, should not be published and remain confidential. Intervention services should be non-discriminatory.
- The refusal of a student to undergo mandatory drug testing shall be subject to relevant sanctions as provided by the Student Handbook. This however, should not give rise to a presumption of drug use or dependency.
- All fees regarding mandatory drug testing shall be authorized based on CHED, DOH and DDB rules and regulations.
- The mandatory drug testing shall be part of the miscellaneous fees as discussed during consultation and approved by CHED.
- Testing expenses for random drug tests will be supported by the government.
- For student applicants, the fee for drug testing will be borne by the student-applicant.
Random Drug Testing in High School
Policy:
Policy:
- Not all secondary schools but only SAMPLE SCHOOLS will conduct actual drug testing. These will be both from public and private school. However, all schools are required to prepare with the assumption that they will be included in the sample schools.
- As part of preparation, schools have to inform all involved - including parents - as to the guidelines and procedures of the random drug test. This will be done via parent-teacher conference as well as notification to parent by writing.
- Parents/students must return the acknowledgement receipt. Failure to do so does not exempt a student from inclusion in the sample.
- The DepEd Committee shall inform the head teacher of the selection of his/her school in the coverage of the drug testing within five days from the designated date of the drug testing.
- On the day of the testing, the school and the Random Drug Testing Team shall conduct the random selection of the required number of students to be tested in the school. It shall be done via lottery or through any equivalent manner. The random selection process shall be confidential.
- Students who refuse to undergo random drug testing will be reported to the DepEd Committee. Refusal does not give rise to presumption of drug use.
Procedures:
- Before proceeding with the specimen collection, the students selected shall be given an orientation on the process of drug testing, their rights, and the implications of the drug testing.
- The collection of urine samples and the testing shall strictly follow the guidelines required by the DOH.
- The students will accomplish a drug testing form provided - this includes info on any prescription medicines, vitamins and food supplements they have taken within the past 5 days.
- Students who are ready to give their urine sample shall approach the specimen collector and select his or her own specimen bottle from the table.
- Before specimen collection, the student has to wash and dry his or her hands, empty pockets and remove outer garments (jackets, coats, sweaters). This has to be done in a private collection area supervised by a specimen collector of the same gender.
- The collection of the urine sample shall be conducted. The student shall submit the urine sample to the specimen collector who will examine the sample in the presence of the student.
- The student shall affix his or her signature and the date and time of collection to a sealing tape. The collector will seal the bottle in the presence of the student.
- The collector and the student shall then sign the drug testing form.
- All specimen shall be given to the custody of the DOH for testing.
Results:
- The results of the testing should be issued within 15 days.
- A positive result will require confirmatory tests.
- The names per school of all who tested negative will be summarized in a result form. Positive results based on confirmatory tests will be reported in individual result forms.
- All will be placed in a sealed envelope, marked as confidential, and submitted to the Dep Ed Secretary.
- The Secretary of Health shall inform the relevant schools of the results. The school will inform parents and students. Everything should be kept confidential and private.
- Positive confirmatory result shall not be a ground for expulsion or any disciplinary action against the student and should not be reflected in any or all academic records.
- For students who tested positive, the school will set up a conference with the student, parents and a physician to discuss issues of drug use and dependency. All will be set up confidentially.
- After the conference, the school shall refer the student and his/her parents to a drug facility to asses and evaluate the student and plan treatment.
- Drug dependent students shall be referred to DSWD for counseling and intervention. The parent may also choose private or government rehabilitation center or program.
- If the student shows no signs of improvement of recovery, or fails a second drug test, or if the parents refuse to act on the student's drug dependence, the student may be referred to a higher facility and may be subject to compulsory confinement in accordance with Sec. 61 of RA 9165.
Schedule:
- Drug testing in public secondary schools will be conducted in the current SY 2017-2018.
- Drug testing in private secondary schools will be conducted no later than SY 2018-2019.
- Schools that refuse to implement random drug testing program shall be reported to the PDEA and the DDB for appropriate action.
- The Secretary of Education will determine the date of the drug testing.
To read the full guidelines set by the Commission on Higher Education adn the Department of Education, see sources below.
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![An official of Commission on Higher Education (CHED) called for a moratorium on all field trips and educational tours in all private and public colleges and universities following the tourist bus accident in Tanay, Rizal that claimed 15 students lives and left more than 30 others injured. CHED Commissioner Prospero de Vera III said that until the investigation on the incident is completed, a moratorium is needed. "I will request the Commission en banc today to immediately issue a directive to all higher education institutions so we can properly investigate this tragedy and review current policies covering field trips," de Vera said. Initial investigation said the bus with college students from Bestlink College on board was bound for a medical and survival training for their National Service Training Program (NSTP) subject when it lose brakes while traversing a curved highway.The uncontrolled bus rammed an electric post and a nearby tree along Magnetic Hill in Peligrini Farm, Sito Baykan, Barangay Sampaloc, Tanay, Rizal. "While it is true that field trips are essential to give students the opportunity to see and explore new things, enhance their learning experience in a natural setting, and provide for interest-driven and hands on training, the safety of the students on field trips must be ensured at all times by school authorities," de Vera added. The tragedy must be a "reminder that we must be very strict in regulating the use of public transportation for school sponsored trips. We must also determine if higher education institutions comply with requirements of safety and whether current policies adequately protect students," according to De Vera. The CHED official reminded that before they hold educational tours or field trips,colleges and universities need to inform their regional offices one month prior to the event. He added that educational tours and field trips are regulated under CHED Memorandum Order No. 17 which requires: 1) the education tour/field is essential to enhance the curriculum of the course; 2) prior consultation with students are made when there are additional costs involved; 3) the information is included in the Student Handbook and discussed during the student orientation; and 4) risk assessment procedures are discussed with parents. De Vera said that CHED have already instructed Officials of Bestlink College to submit an incident report to CHED National Capital Region in order to determine if there were violations on the regulation. Meanwhile, the CHED official expressed deep sympathy toward the bereaved families. "We share the grief and bereavement of the families who lost their [loved] ones and all those affected by this horrific tragedy. We will expedite the necessary investigation to determine if proper procedures were observed by school authorities, impose the necessary sanctions, if warranted, and determine whether existing policies adequately protect the safety of students," de Vera said. On the other hand, despite the plea of parents and the tragedy that happened it was also reported that Bestlink College officials decided to continue the medical and survival training for the rest of the groups . According to De Vera, the decision of the school's camping trip to push through can be considered as insensitive and irresponsible. "Bestlink College should now cancel the camping activity, bring the students home safely, and provide counseling for the students, their friends and their families," de Vera said. RECOMMENDED: ASEAN LEADERS TO CREATE PROTECTION RULES FOR MIGRANT WORKERS OFW GETS HARSH WORDS FROM OWN BROTHER 10 TIPS ON HOW TO SPOT A FAKE NEWS BEFORE YOU GET MARRIED,BE AWARE OF THIS ISRAEL TO HIRE HUNDREDS OF FILIPINOS FOR HOTEL JOBS MALLS WITH OSSCO AND OTHER GOVERNMENT SERVICES DOMESTIC ABUSE EXPOSED ON SOCIAL MEDIA HSW IN KUWAIT: NO SALARY FOR 9 YEARS DEATH COMPENSATION FOR SAUDI EXPATS ON JAKATIA PAWA'S EXECUTION: "WE DID EVERYTHING.." -DFA BELLO ASSURES DECISION ON MORATORIUM MAY COME OUT ANYTIME SOON SEN. JOEL VILLANUEVA SUPPORTS DEPLOYMENT BAN ON HSWS IN KUWAIT AT LEAST 71 OFWS ON DEATH ROW ABROAD DEPLOYMENT MORATORIUM, NOW! -OFW GROUPS BE CAREFUL HOW YOU TREAT YOUR HSWS PRESIDENT DUTERTE WILL VISIT UAE AND KSA, HERE'S WHY MANPOWER AGENCIES AND RECRUITMENT COMPANIES TO BE HIT DIRECTLY BY HSW DEPLOYMENT MORATORIUM IN KUWAIT UAE TO START IMPLEMENTING 5%VAT STARTING 2018 REMEMBER THIS 7 THINGS IF YOU ARE APPLYING FOR HOUSEKEEPING JOB IN JAPAN KENYA , THE LEAST TOXIC COUNTRY IN THE WORLD; SAUDI ARABIA, MOST TOXIC "JUNIOR CITIZEN " BILL TO BENEFIT POOR FAMILIES](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisB0hng8NAy-TOQbmfqwt0xxkDEXCvSTfGnrg5JfC8hSJ2nwDDJlquS27WeELreZPQZEnKbSuxfEbdVkCTPd7cxb28eSmSxHQQWLIxkAhrP7CcKpBzbK1Ni3m5zsWdCDSbffC4HA/s1600/00000000000000000000000000000000.png "Moratorium for School Field Trips---CHED")