Educational trips should be more than just an "educational experience;" it should be a "fun experience" for students.
This was the reaction of Lagunense educator and former Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) President Michelle Nikki Junia to an alleged decision of officials of the Department of Education (DepEd) to restrict the scope of educational trips for public schools.
In an exclusive interview with OpinYon Laguna, Junia stressed that “field trips,” as educational trips are commonly called, are ideal opportunities for children to go beyond academic learning inside the four corners of the classroom.
“We know how heavy it is for children to be bombarded with academics within the confines of the classroom. However, napaka-broad ng learning, it’s not always about math or science,” Junia, who is also president of Musikgarten Philippines, stressed.
In these times when teachers are having a hard time connecting with their students inside the school environment due to the influence of the Internet and social media, the educator also stressed that field trips should also be a way of strengthening the bonds among teachers and students.
“[Educational trips] are not a waste of time. Experiences outside of the classroom always have something to offer to our children, the experiences outside,” she added.
Some sectors, particularly in the tourism industry, have expressed concern over DepEd’s alleged decision to prohibit educational trips to theme parks and other “non-essential” destinations.
According to Regional Memorandum No. 100 Series of 2024 issued by DepEd's Calabarzon office, the selection of sites to be visited for educational trips will depend on "relevance to the curriculum."
The memorandum also enjoined schools to prioritize "local sites of academic and/or historical relevance" to promote local knowledge sources and cost-efficiency in determining the venue for educational trips.
“It's just so sad na parang yung concept ng field trip or educational trip is limited to what? Going to a museum? Yes, a museum. I mean, I love museums. We should really,
I think that should really be a requirement for all schools. Or outside of the field trip. Because it's an educational trip going to museums. Pero kasi for me, ang mas concept ng field trip is fellowship,” Junia told OpinYon Laguna.
“Let’s not be limited to that concept of learning. Because that experience in itself, going to other places with your classmates, with the teacher, madaming matututunan doon,” she added.
Photo Courtesy: DepEd Tayo Pulo ES- Cabuyao City FB Page
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