DepEd 7 Authorizes LGUs to Conduct Drug Testing on Public Teachers

The Department of Education (DepEd) 7 has authorized local government units (LGUs) in Central Visayas to conduct drug testing on all public school teachers.

DepEd 7 Director Juliet Jeruta said she issued Regional Memorandum No. 355 last June 19 in compliance with a Civil Service Commission circular that mandates all government offices to be drug-free.

Jeruta said it was also in response to calls from LGUs to test public school teachers for illegal drug use after an assistant principal was caught in the middle of a pot session last month in Badian town in southern Cebu.

Cebu Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Commission (CPADAC) Executive Director Joey Herrera welcomed the education department’s memorandum.

Herrera said drug testing for teachers may start within the year.

He said the provincial government will pay for the drug screening test this year as CPADAC still has a balance of PHP100,000 from the PHP300,000 appropriated for this purpose.

The Cebu Capitol earlier conducted surprise drug screening tests in the different towns in the province.

He said CPADAC will soon meet with DepEd officials to craft guidelines on how to conduct the drug test.

Jeruta said public school teachers cannot be forced to take the test, but they must be able to explain their refusal. (PNA) CTB/EB/EDS