DEPED Order No. 49, s. 2009 reiterates the revised rules and regulations on the teaching of religion in public elementary and secondary schools.

It is the declared policy of the State in conformity with the mandate of the Constitution, to encourage and promote the teaching of religion to children in public elementary and secondary schools within the regular class hours.

For updates from around the country, follow Sun.Star on Twitter

The State is cognizant of the vital role that the teaching of religion assumes in citizen formation, particularly the molding of the youth. Hence, the State recognizes the necessity of religious instruction, not only in private schools, but also in public schools.

For these purposes, this Department shall provide hereunder the mechanics to enable the teaching of religion in all public elementary and secondary schools all over the country, fully aware of the process that the Constitution prohibits the government from favoring a particular establishment or religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. Furthermore, the implementation of this order should not entail additional cost to the government.

The religious teachers/instructors in public elementary and high schools shall be formally sourced or recruited by the respective principals or school heads in accordance with the corresponding request for optional religious instruction.

After their designation or nomination by their respective religious authorities, said teachers/instructors shall submit to the principal or school head their proper authorization papers and request for time allocation and schedule for the optional religious instruction.

Ordinary teachers may also teach religion in the same or another school during the periods when they are free from their ordinary teaching loads, and provided they are authorized to do so by the competent religious authority of their denomination.

The teachers/instructions of religion as referred to the second paragraph shall be allowed to teach those pupils/students whose parents or guardians have opted to request that their children or wards learn religion in school shall be expressed in writing by the parent or guardian who shall likewise accomplish in full the necessary application form.

No students/pupil shall be allowed or permitted to attend religious instruction classes without the said written application and duly accomplished request of hi/her parent or guardian.

This order shall apply to all public elementary and secondary schools in the Philippines.

Merlyn M. Roque
Principal II
Natividad Elementary School