QuestionsQuestions (DECS ORDER NO. 13)
The Order declares it as policy—consistent with the Constitution—to encourage and promote the teaching of religion to children in public elementary and high schools within regular class hours, recognizing its role in citizen formation while also acknowledging that the Constitution prohibits the free exercise of religion.
It applies to all public elementary and high schools in the Philippines.
It refers to religion classes in public schools for students whose parents/guardians opted to request religious instruction for their child/ward; the optional character pertains to the parents/guardians’ choice to request or not request such instruction.
No. The Order states that it is not optional on the part of the Principal or school head to accept or reject the formal request; the request must be honored when properly made.
They must be designated by their respective religious authorities and must submit proper authorization papers and request time allocation for optional religious instruction to the principal or school head.
Yes, ordinary teachers may teach religion during periods when they are free from their regular teaching loads, provided they are authorized by the competent religious authority of their denomination.
Through a written application/request executed by the parent or guardian. No student may be allowed to attend without the written application and duly accomplished request.
The specific faith or religious instruction the student/pupil should receive and the preferred schedule for religious instruction.
It must be taught during regular hours only—not before or after class time and not during recess time.
It should not exceed forty (40) students of the same level and the same religion.
After consulting the religious authorities of that faith (or their delegate), the principal must divide the students/pupils into two or more classes.
By taking into account the number of religion teachers/instructors that can be fielded by different denominations at one time.
At least eighty (80) minutes per week, spread over at least two (2) but not more than three (3) meetings in one week.
In no case shall class periods be allotted less than ninety (90) minutes per week (as stated in the Order).
They are separate and distinct subjects and must be allotted separate class hours; they cannot be taken together by the students in one and the same class period.
If the principal cannot find available time slots for optional religious instruction in the weekly class schedule, and this is in agreement with the religious teachers/instructors, optional religious instruction may be allotted at least two (2) of the present five (5) time-slots assigned every week to Values Education.
Any principal, school head, or teacher who violates any provision shall, after due process, be subjected to appropriate disciplinary sanctions.
Immediate and wide dissemination of the contents of the Order is directed.
It was adopted on 30 January 1998 and signed by Ricardo T. Gloria, Secretary.