REPUBLIC COLLEGES OF GUINOBATAN, INC

School of Gradute Studies and Research

G. Alban Street, Guinobatan , Albay

Activity 7 – THE SCHOOL POLICIES

At the end of this module, the students must be able to:

• Explain the importance of school policies in school operation.

Schools are institutions motivated by a shared vision. Necessarily, school must have
policies for them to realize their vision and mission. These policies are a reflection of the
values of the people who created them. Whatever policies are formulated must redound
to the improved teaching- learning of learners which is the very reason of the existence
of schools. In this Chapter, we will focus on school policies that govern school and
community partnership.

Abstraction – Let us Conceptualize!

Importance of Policies

Schools in partnership with their community have their own picture of what they want to

be (vision statement) and so must offer services and must do what they are supposed to

do (mission statement). In order to realize what they envisioned themselves to be. For

these to happen, policies must be in place. Observance of these policies ensures

everyone in the school community to tow the line. If conditions are ideal like when all
members of the school community are perfect-school heads, teachers, students. Parents,

non-teaching personnel and other members of the outside community- there may be no

need for a policy. The truth is conditions in the school community and in this world are far

from ideal and persons that make the school community are far from perfect and so the

need for policies. One may wonder as to why the Department of Education has issued

very stringent policies and guidelines for PTAS in matters of collecting contributions. Even

engaging in any partisan political activity within school premises is written as one

prohibited activity. There must a history to that. Perhaps malversation of funds and other

forms of abuse happened in the past schools’ policy on the grading system is important

for everyone concerned to know how grades are computed. Both students and parents

know how grades are derived objectively. Percentage weights for each component are

clear. Teachers are guided in their assessment practices. The grading policy ensures

objective assessment practice. Without the grading policy, grading may become highly

subjective. Similarly, if there are no policies on students’ tardiness and absenteeism,

students may just come in late or absent. The policies on students’ tardiness and

absenteeism certainly will curb tardiness and absenteeism to ensure learning.

Effective Policy Formulation and Implementation

In a School Community Partnership.

The policies on grading, student tardiness an absenteeism came from above, DepEd

Central office. At times there is need for policies from above. But policies do not need to

come from above all the time. There are times when a school formulates a policy to

address local problem. In fact, this is how it should be in a school-community partnership.

Ideally, a policy must not be formulated by the school bead by himself/herself. The school

head must lead in the policy formulation process. The word “lead” implies that an effective

policy formulation process must be participatory. This means that it is best that the rest

of the school and community be involved. Two good heads are better than one. Besides

participation of school and community develops a sense of ownership of such formulated

policy which ensures a more effective implementation. This is school empowerment in

action. Aside from involving the school and community in policy formulation, a school

head must ensure wide dissemination and correct and clear understanding of the policy.

TAKEAWAYS

• Policies are intended to ensure that schools perform and realize what they
have envisioned for themselves.
• There are policies that come from authorities above the school since the
school is a member of a bigger organization or system.
• But schools are also empowered to formulate their own
• Policies to address their concerns speedily provided they are not contrary
to policies that come from above.
• School policies are effective when they are formulated with the
participation of the members of the school an community as this develops
sense of ownership which ensures implementation of the family.
• Policies must also be widely disseminated for the information of the entire
system- school and community and must be understood correctly and
clearly.
• Policies set order in schools. The absence of clear cut policies may court
chaos.
Let us Check for Understanding!

1. Why are policies important in school?

Policies are important because they help a school establish operating procedures and
create standards of quality for learning and teaching, as well as set out expectations and
accountability. Without these, schools would lack the structure and function necessary to
provide the educational needs of students.

2. List down at least 2 school policies (one from Central Office and another from the school
level). Explain the purpose behind the policy.
1. “38 27-Apr Hiring Guidelines for Teacher I Positions in the Department of Education” after
the world wide pandemic, little by little the society is getting back its life before and the most
evident of this is the opening of the classes, but unfortunately the numbers of teachers in
public schools had lessen, so, the Deped need more teachers to attend the learning needs of
the filipino students.
2. “Teachers Needs to wear a standard uniform” department of education strongly
suggest that the teachers needs to wear a proper clothing inside the school campus
(preferably the school uniform) because the learners needs to identify the proper
authority and to avoid discrimination between teachers and students.
3.

Let’s Reflect

1. What is my attitude towards school policies? Do I welcome them?

Direction: Encircle the letter of the correct answer.

1. What are PTAs prohibited from doing?
I. Interview in the academic and administrative managers and operations of
the school, and of the DepEd.
 II. Engaging in any partisan political activity within school premises.
III.Operating a canteen/ school supplies store, or being a concessionaire there
of inside the school or nearby premises, or offering these services to the
school as its client either directly or indirectly.
A. I. II and III C. I and II
B. II and III D. I and III

2. Which statement on School Policies is CORRECT?

A. They suffocate school climate
B. They help ensure realization of school goals
C. They come from above and so by all means be observed.
D. They cannot be changed.

3. Which is the most effective way of making policies?

A. School Head ‘o involve stakeholders
B. Students not to participate since policies are for them
C. Only parents of students enrolled are involved
D. School policies are permanent to build the culture of excellence

4. Why is there a policy on grading?

I. To fulfill the purposes of assessments
II. For fair grade computations
III. For the guidance and information of all

A. I, and II C. II, and III

B. I, and III D. I, II and III
5. “ The Sabath is made for man and not man for the Sabbath.” “What does this imply
regarding policies?
A. Policies are formulated to help people in the organization.
 B. Policies showed not be adjusted when people in organization cannot aside
by the policy.
C. Policies are orders from above like the law of the Sabbath.
D. The laws are formulated by man and women in society.

Reference:
Nelia G. Prieto, LPY, PhD, et al (2019) The Teacher and the Community, School
Culture and Organizational Leadership