DepEd strictly prohibits the conduct of extra-curricular activities this school year

DepEd strictly prohibits the conduct of extra-curricular activities this school year

The Department of Education (DepEd) issued a department order that strictly prohibits the conduct of extra-curricular activities this school year (SY) 2022-2023. The order reiterates that the entire number of school days shall be entirely devoted to academics and related co-curricular activities.

The DepEd Order (DO) stated "The number of school days in this DepEd Order (DO) shall solely be dedicated to academics and related co-curricular activities. The conduct of extra-curricular activities shall be strictly prohibited."

Extra-Curricular Activities (ECA) are learner engagements that are not anchored on the content and performance standards in the curriculum and are offered/coordinated by the school to promote the learner's holistic development; voluntary, non-graded. (not authorized)

The allowed curricular and co-curricular activities include the National Schools Press Conference, National Science and Technology Fair, National Festival of Talent, and other similar undertakings, which may be conducted in a hybrid modality subject to the declared alert levels of the country.

The DO also stated that the eleventh week of each quarter may be used for the conduct of co-curricular activities.

The order stressed that virtual activities through different social media platforms which require reactions or sharing may be done for advocacy, awareness, or collaboration purposes, but shall not form part of the learner's scholastic grade.

Schools are also encouraged to integrate such celebrations/ observances into curricular activities as they deem reasonable and appropriate, so long as the total number of school days shall not be compromised.

Curricular and Co-Curricular Activities (from the DepEd Order)

Co-curricular Activities are authorized, voluntary, and non-graded engagements, whether on or off-campus, that reinforce the development of 21st-century skills beyond the scheduled contact time between teachers and learners. The activities must be anchored on the curriculum's content and performance standards. They are considered extension of formal learning experiences and are provided to tap into and enrich the varied intelligences and skills of the learners. (DO 21, s. 2019, Policy Guidelines on the K to 12 Basic Education Program)

Curricular Activities are opportunities and experiences undertaken by the learners in the classrooms, laboratories, workshops, and homes as well as school-based and out-of-school activities conducted to ensure the learners' acquisition of the K to 12 learning standards and the 21st-century skills. (DO 21, s. 2019)

Classes are immediately suspended during observances of regular and special national holidays as stipulated by the law, as well as local holidays which have been duly declared by law or through Presidential Proclamation.

The number of school days in this DO shall solely be dedicated to academics and related co-curricular activities. The conduct of extra-curricular activities shall be strictly prohibited.

Virtual activities through different social media platforms which require reactions or sharing may be done for advocacy, awareness, or collaboration purposes, but shall not form part of the learner's scholastic grade. Curricular and co-curricular activities that involve the in-person gathering of a large number of participants like the National Schools Press Conference, National Science and Technology Fair, National Festival of Talent, and other similar undertakings, may be conducted in hybrid modality subject to the declared alert levels of the country.

Curricular activities shall be conducted during the academic quarter to ensure that learners can seamlessly connect and integrate learning within and across learning areas, while providing manageable breaks consistent with Memorandum OUCI-2020-307 entitled 'Suggested Measures to Foster Academic Ease during the COVID-19 Pandemic.'On the other hand, co-curricular activities shall be conducted after the quarter examinations to avoid disruption of classes.

Pursuant to the objectives of Sulong Edukalidad, schools shall strictly devote ten (10) weeks of every academic quarter to actual classroom teaching. The eleventh week of each quarter may be used for the conduct of co-curricular activities. The Central Office, Regional Offices, Schools Division Offices (SDOs), and other concerned external stakeholders that need to introduce co-curricular activities, may do so in accordance with this provision on scheduling the same.

Enclosure No. 3 indicates the list of celebrations/ observances provided for by law. Schools are encouraged to integrate such celebrations/ observances into curricular activities as they deem reasonable and appropriate, so long as the total number of school days shall not be compromised.