As some schools opened classes on Monday, the Department of Education (DepEd) has started enforcing a no-smoking rule in all public and private elementary and high schools.
DepEd Order 73, issued by DepEd Secretary Mona Valisno, declared all elementary and high schools “No Smoking” areas.
“Effective immediately, smoking will be prohibited inside school premises. This includes open or covered spaces around school buildings,” Valisno said in the May 28 order, a copy of which was posted late Sunday on the DepEd website.
The order was addressed to undersecretaries and assistant secretaries, bureau, center and service directors, regional directors, schools division and city superintendents, and heads of public and private elementary and high schools.
Valisno ordered school heads to put up “No Smoking” signs in conspicuous places around the school compound. She also ordered them to place signs with the message “You are entering a No-Smoking Area” in entry points such as gates and side entrances.
“Regional and division officials are instructed to oversee the implementation of this order in schools under their supervision,” she said. (PIA-Bohol)
