The document discusses issues around religious instruction in public schools. It outlines laws that protect religious freedom and allow religious instruction with parental consent if it does not cost the government. While there were no reports of abuses of religious freedom by the government, some religious groups faced societal discrimination. The government respected religious freedom in practice by allowing things like distributing religious materials in schools and observing major religious holidays. However, a school policy requesting teachers remove veils while teaching Arabic sparked controversy until the department clarified it only applied to those specific classes to aid language instruction.

1. ISSUES / CONTROVERSIES
REGARDING RELIGIOUS
INSTRUCTION
by : Erich D. Garcia and Jennifer Cudal

2. Laws Regarding Religion in Public
Schools
 Of all the divisive issues that can cause
arguments and dissension between people,
religion is one of the most explosive
 The constitution and other laws and policies
protect religious freedom.
 The government permits religious instruction
in public schools with written parental
consent provided there is no cost to the
government.

3. Government Practices
 There were no reports of abuses of religious
freedom.
 The government did not ban or discourage
specific religious groups or religious factions
 There were no reports of societal abuses
based on religious affiliation, belief, or
practice, although there were some reports of
discrimination and tension.

4. Status of Societal Respect for
Religious Freedom
 some employers stereotyped Muslims as
being less educated
 difficulty renting rooms in boarding houses or
being hired for retail work if they used their
real names or wore distinctive Muslim dress
 Many reportedly resorted to adopting
Christian pseudonyms and wearing Western
clothing.

5. Status of Government Respect for
Religious Freedom
 The government allowed interested groups to
distribute religious literature in public schools
 public schools must ensure that the religious
rights of students are protected
 Muslim students are allowed to wear hijab
(head coverings), and Muslim girls are not
required to wear shorts during physical
education classes.

6. Status of Government Respect for
Religious Freedom
 The government observes the following
religious holidays as national holidays:
Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter, All
Saints' Day, Christmas Day, Eid al-Fitr, and Eid
al-Adha.
 The government generally respected religious
freedom in law and in practice

7. DepEd clarifies veil removal order for
Muslim teachers
 a recent order requesting Filipino
Muslim teachers to remove their
veil inside the classroom applies
only to Arabic language
instructors
 teachers handling Arabic
Language and Islamic Values
Education (ALIVE) are requested
to remove the veil covering the
face (niqab) when teaching in
the classroom,”

8. DepEd clarifies veil removal order for
Muslim teachers
 This is to promote better teacher-pupil
relationship and to support
effective language teaching since
seeing the teacher’s lips helps in the
correct production of letter sounds,
 DepEd Order no. 32 series of 2013,
which reiterates DECS order No. 53,
series of 2001 or Strengthening the
Protection of Religious Rights of
Students.

9. DepEd clarifies veil removal order for
Muslim teachers
 wearing a veil covering the entire face is
allowed outside the classroom, but that it is
“strongly suggested” that the veil be removed
or partially removed (the detachable mouth
and nose cover) so that students can see the
teacher’s mouth
 Paano magbibigay ng instruction kung hindi
kita ang lips. Iisipin ng bata, ano ‘yan, puppet o
silhouette?

10. DepEd clarifies veil removal order for
Muslim teachers
 Respect for rights of Muslim students
 DepEd order also stresses on the religious rights of
Muslim students including the following policies:
 Female Muslim schoolchildren are allowed to use
their veil or hijab inside campus.

11. DepEd clarifies veil removal order for
Muslim teachers
 Muslim girls are allowed to wear appropriate
clothing in Physical Education classes in accordance
with their religious belief.
 Muslim students shall not be required to participate
in non-Muslim religious rites.