QUEZON City, Philippines (February 24) – With the recent tragedy that resulted in the death of 15 college students, the Commission on Higher Education issued a moratorium ordering all institutions of higher education to suspend the conduct of field trips and other out-of-school activities.
Hoping that such ban would only be temporary, as field trips are part of a complete educational experience, here are some tips on how you can do your part in making sure that your field trip be safe and fun for everyone involved:
- Let others know where you’re going – This should be automatic but sadly, it is frequently overlooked. We need to let our parents know where are we going. This is after all, the proper thing to do. And if your parents and loved ones did not allow you to join, you should at the very least respect their decision.
- Be familiar with your destination – Teachers should – at the very least – conduct an ocular inspection. We should be familiar with the place as well as the routes to be taken. That way, we will have an idea as to the natural conditions of the place and undergo the appropriate preparation and precaution.
- Conduct a Bus Safety Inspection–This is the obligation of the school’s faculty and staff. They should exercise due diligence and find a trustworthy bus company with an excellent safety and inspection record, trained drivers and all the proper licenses, permits and insurance. An interview of the prospective bus driver is a must.
- Personal safety – On a field trip, there is an increased danger of the unthinkable happening: that a person could get abducted, assaulted, robbed, injured, or lost—or even worst die — but that doesn’t mean we should stop going on field trips. On the other hand, taking extra precautions is a must. Remain with your group, don’t be distracted.
- Know How to Get Help – Always bring your cellphone and make sure that it is charged. This will serve as your lifeline just in case the worse happens.
- Don’t let yourself get hungry –Bring convenient and easy-to-eat snacks and meals. After all, when we are hungry, we tend to get distracted and may not notice that something is amiss.
- Medical Emergencies – Teachers should have at least, the proper training in giving first aid just in case a medical emergency happens. A first aid kid – full of the basics – should also be prepared.
- Don’t get reckless on the bus.You don’t want your day to end early, do you? Misbehavior on the bus can get you into trouble and ruin your day. You could end up sitting on the bus while the others enjoy the destination.
- Dress for hot and cold. Specially in today’s varying weather. Always bring a jacket and an umbrella.
- Don’t litter.You can be banned from some locations for this. Don’t be sent back to the bus!
- ALWAYS PRAY – This is the most important thing to do, we should always pray for guidance and to have a safe trip.
(written by JB Tierra, edited by Jay Paul Carlos, additional research by Vince Alvin Villarin)
