BACOLOD City Councilor Renecito Novero, chairperson of committee on education, supported the plan of Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Leonor Briones to let all DepEd employees undergo mandatory drug testing.
Novero said Monday, October 9, teachers should set an example to the students so that the students will also cooperate in drug testing.
Briones had earlier announced that mandatory drug testing scheme among DepEd employees would be implemented soon, following negative reactions from parents saying that the scheme should not be applied only to students.
It will include the DepEd officials and staff, including teachers.
Briones said she will issue a directive for the mandatory drug testing of DepEd employees from the central office down to the divisions.
She said the drug testing among students and teachers is a preventive measure since she believes the drug menace should be treated as a health issue rather than a police issue.
Novero said if the teachers will not cooperate, the students might also not undergo drug testing.
“If this is the decision of the DepEd Secretary, it might go well if the teachers will provide a good example to the students and this will create a smooth and magnifying atmosphere in schools,” he said.
DepEd had earlier issued guidelines in conducting random drug testing among students in public and private high schools.