Coverage
- Applies to all public elementary and high schools throughout the Philippines.
Definition of Key Terms
- Religion: Institutionalized system of beliefs, attitudes, and practices.
- Values Education: Integration into school curriculum of universally accepted and Filipino human, social, moral, political, economic, and cultural values.
- Optional Religious Instruction: Religion classes in public schools for students whose parents opt in for religious instruction.
- Regular Class Hours: Regularly scheduled instructional or laboratory periods.
- Class Period: Average length of one instructional session.
Employment and Authorization of Teachers/Instructors
- Religious teachers must be formally sourced/recruited by the school principal or head based on parental requests.
- Teachers must present proper authorization from religious authorities to the school principal.
- Regular teachers may also teach religion during free periods if authorized by their religious denomination.
Recipient of Religious Instruction
- Only students with written parental or guardian requests can attend religious instruction.
- Parents/guardians must complete a formal application indicating consent.
- No student is allowed in religious classes without written parental consent and application.
Application Details
- Application must specify the requested religion and preferred scheduling for instruction.
Non-Recipient Students
- Students not receiving religious instruction or those without available instructors will be supervised by their class advisers during religion class hours.
Class Size and Scheduling
- Religious classes conducted during regular class hours only (no recess or before/after school).
- Maximum class size typically forty students of the same religion and level, unless religious authority certifies a practical larger size.
- School principal to schedule classes considering availability of teachers and denominations.
Duration of Religious Instruction
- Minimum of ninety (90) minutes per week split over 2 to 3 sessions.
- No less than ninety minutes per week shall be allotted.
Relationship Between Optional Religious Instruction and Values Education
- These are distinct subjects with separate class hours.
- Scheduling should ensure no overlap, coordinated through the principal.
Administrative Sanctions
- Principals, school heads, or teachers violating any provisions will face disciplinary action after due process.
Dissemination
- Immediate and wide distribution of this Order's contents is mandated.