The clarification, embodied in DepEd Order No. 52, s. 2004, was issued to correct misconception by some secondary school administrators, many of them from private high schools, that the one-school-year-long CAT course is "optional" to fourth year students.

CAT, formerly known as Citizens Army Training, is a requirement for all male and female senior secondary school students in both public and private schools, the order stated.

The same order also stated that CAT is composed of four components — namely, community service, military orientation, public safety and law enforcement.

The school, in consultation with parents of students and barangay officials, will determine the program component of CAT which the institution will offer in compliance with the National Service Program, the order said, adding that the minimum requirement for the course is the completion of any of the components or combination of the four components for a period of 35 hours in one schoolyear.

The order further required all DepEd regional directors and provincial or city schools division superintendents to monitor the implementation of the CAT program in their respective areas and to ensure that guidelines are strictly complied with.

These guidelines, the order said, include the following:

1. Fourth year students shall wear their school uniform - and not military fatigue nor combat shoes – during CAT classes.

2. Military training drills and ceremonies are strictly prohibited.

3. Properly trained teacher-facilitators are the only persons allowed to handle CAT classes.