THE Department of Education (DepEd)-Davao will be conducting a random mandatory drug-testing program to all officials and employees, including teaching and non-teaching personnel of the Department under its Drug-Free Workplace Policy.
DepEd issued the Drug-Free Workplace Policy last July 31 to promote a safe and healthy work environment in DepEd workplaces and schools, free from the use of dangerous drugs and secure the welfare of the students against possible drug-using employees.
DepEd-Davao spokesperson Jenielito Atillo said this drug-testing program was planned by the department since last year but was formally confirmed recently after the formation of the Drug-Free Workplace Committee last March, headed by Education Undersecretary Alberto T. Muyot.
"Our department handles children and we seek their safety as the upmost priority. We do not want to risk our children being taught and handled by any teachers who are influenced by drugs because we are aiming to create a drug-free future," Atillo said.
He said the policy will cover the DepEd-Central office, regional offices, school division offices, and schools.
Starting this month, Atillo said the program will include a pre-employment drug-testing, in which all job applicants of any of DepEd's offices and schools must be mandated to undergo the test. Drug Test Certificate will be issued to them and will be included in the employment requirement records.
For the existing employees and officials, he said, the testing will be conducted by trained DepEd personnel in specimen collections who will submit the specimen to Department of Health (DOH) for the results.
In DepEd Order 37 regarding the Drug-Free Workplace Policy, it said an employee or teaching and non-teaching personnel testing positive twice from the confirmatory test shall be deemed as a valid ground for the termination. For DepEd officials, on the other hand, they shall undergo an examination by DOH, in which interventions will be done based on the results.
All drug-test results and records, Atillo said, will be strictly held confidential by the department.
Any official or employee who refuses to submit himself for drug testing, he said, shall be charged with an administrative offense with consequent penalties.
"DepEd also plans to extend the drug-testing to the students but no final details about it yet. We are first focusing on the employees and officials as they are the ones representing our department," Atillo said.