Critiques on Education
MARIVIC F. MUTIA MAY 24, 2013
MEM-1 /EM-220 SIR JONATHAN P. WONG
A Critique on the DepEd Order No.105, s.2010, dated October 14, 2010, “Reiterating the Constitutional Right of DepEd Personnel and Students to Free Exercise of Religion”
This DepEd Order has taken a bold step in synchronizing the scholastic activities and mandates with the very provision of the Philippine Constitution; making its programs not only valid but most of all constitutionally acceptable. By citing “in toto” Art. III, sec. 5 of the Constitution, DepEd had made a very prudent step in respecting the freedom of religion as mandated by the Constitution. Singled out in this memorandum are the members of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, the only major Christian congregation recognized in the Philippines as Sabbath keeper, that despite their apparent country-wide presence being very unique in their Sabbath observance had practically reduced its followers, as in most cases its members in school-age bracket always comes in conflict with school enhancement programs whether academic or extra-curricular on the reason that their attendance to secular activities is strictly prohibited. The current order of the DepEd however would give equal footing to the Seventh-day Adventist students, teachers and other school employees with respect to grade credits, salary increase, promotion and the like. This Order has been in effect directed to the school personnel both teaching or otherwise who are respecting religious freedom as their acts of intolerance to the religious scruples of the Seventh-Day Adventist could amount into violation of the this DepEd Order and the Philippine Constitution no less. The chilling effect of this order both in public and private learning institution under DepEd would create an ambiance of educational atmosphere which could be transformed into the realization of the real democracy as enshrined in the very heart of the this country’s cardinal law. As a student
MEM-1 /EM-220 SIR JONATHAN P. WONG
A Critique on the DepEd Order No.105, s.2010, dated October 14, 2010, “Reiterating the Constitutional Right of DepEd Personnel and Students to Free Exercise of Religion”
This DepEd Order has taken a bold step in synchronizing the scholastic activities and mandates with the very provision of the Philippine Constitution; making its programs not only valid but most of all constitutionally acceptable. By citing “in toto” Art. III, sec. 5 of the Constitution, DepEd had made a very prudent step in respecting the freedom of religion as mandated by the Constitution. Singled out in this memorandum are the members of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, the only major Christian congregation recognized in the Philippines as Sabbath keeper, that despite their apparent country-wide presence being very unique in their Sabbath observance had practically reduced its followers, as in most cases its members in school-age bracket always comes in conflict with school enhancement programs whether academic or extra-curricular on the reason that their attendance to secular activities is strictly prohibited. The current order of the DepEd however would give equal footing to the Seventh-day Adventist students, teachers and other school employees with respect to grade credits, salary increase, promotion and the like. This Order has been in effect directed to the school personnel both teaching or otherwise who are respecting religious freedom as their acts of intolerance to the religious scruples of the Seventh-Day Adventist could amount into violation of the this DepEd Order and the Philippine Constitution no less. The chilling effect of this order both in public and private learning institution under DepEd would create an ambiance of educational atmosphere which could be transformed into the realization of the real democracy as enshrined in the very heart of the this country’s cardinal law. As a student