Non-Disciplinary Cases

Attendance

The following guidelines in attendance and punctuality as stated in the Paragraph 1.2, Section 1, Chapter III, Part IV of 2000 DECS Service Manual shall be observed.

• Regularity of attendance and punctuality are required in all classes. A student who has been absent or has cut classes is required to present a letter of explanation from his/her parents or guardians or to bring them to school for a short conference with the section adviser or guidance counselor as the case may be.

• Attendance of students in special holidays, activities relative to their religions shall be allowed provided permission of the school head is sought.

• Habitual tardiness especially during the first period in the morning and in the afternoon shall not be allowed. Teachers concerned shall call for the parents of the student concerned or visit him/her at home.

School Attire and ID

Pursuant to DepEd Order No. 45, s. 2008 and DepEd Order No. 46, s. 2008, wearing of school uniform is not mandatory. To increase school participation of all school-aged children, it is important to remove any and all obstacles, particularly financial, to their enrollment in public schools. Accordingly, the Department of Education has ordered the following:

• The wearing of a school uniform shall not be required in public schools;

• Identification (ID) cards shall be provided to students at no cost to them;

• The school administration shall fund these from their MOOE.

While the general policy is that the wearing of a school uniform shall not be required in public schools (as embodied in DepEd Order No. 45 s. 2008), it is necessary to provide guidance on what constitutes proper school attire. The following principles should serve as a guide:

• A student’s basic right to go to school, study and learn is of paramount importance and should be respected and promoted at all times;

• A student’s attire should reflect respect for the school as an institution for learning;

• A student’s attire should not become a cause for discrimination particularly for students belonging to a lower socio-economic status;

• Promoting physical hygiene and proper school decorum is part of the teaching- learning process in schools, thus a student’s attire and physical appearance should manifest learnings from this process;

• Learners with existing uniforms may continue using these uniforms, if they so desire, in order to avoid incurring additional costs for new attire; and

• Learners are discouraged from wearing expensive (signature or designer brands) or flashy clothes, tight-fitting pants/blouses/dresses, mini-skirts, short shorts, blouses with plunging necklines, hip-hop pants for boys, and sleepwear.