DO 53, s. 2001 – Strengthening the Protection of Religions Rights of Students

October 29, 2001
DO 53, s. 2001
Strengthening the Protection of Religions Rights of Students
To:  Undersecretaries and Assistant Secretaries
Regional/Bureau Directors
Schools Division Superintendents
Principals of Public and Private Schools
1.  Pursuant to the Constitutional guarantee on the rights of citizens to freedom of religion and non-discrimination on the basis of sex, religion, creed or color, all schools should strive to ensure that these rights of students are protected and strengthened.
2.  The National Youth Commission has called attention to the plight of Muslim students attending schools where certain policies and practices infringe on their religious rights.
3.  In view thereof all schools, both public and private, are directed to review their policies to ensure that these are sensitive to the religious rights of students.
4.  In the specific case of Muslim students, the following policies shall be adopted:
  1. Female Muslim schoolchildren should be allowed to use their veil or headdress (hijab) inside the school campus
  2. In Physical Education (PE) classes, Muslim girls shall not be required to wear shorts; they shall be allowed to wear appropriate clothing in accordance with their religious beliefs
  3. Muslim students shall not be required to participate in non-Muslim religious rites.
5.  Department field offices are hereby enjoined to ensure that these policies are strictly complied with in all schools under their jurisdiction.

6. For immediate and wide dissemination.

 

RAUL S. ROCO
Secretary

 

 

Reference:
DECS Order: No. 120, s. 1999
Allotment: 1—(D.O. 50-97)
To be indicated in the Perpetual Index
under the following subjects:

 

POLICY
RELIGION
STUDENTS