The Department of Education (DepEd) expressed dismay Saturday after receiving reports that there are still schools that do not strictly adhere to DepEd Order No. 10, s. 2010, which outlines the “Clean Schools, Clean Elections Campaign” of the government.

The DepEd order stated that since schools will be used as polling places for the May 10 elections, these must be free from any campaign materials such as posters, tarpaulins, and billboards. However, there are still many schools that have campaign materials in their premises.

Education Secretary Mona Valisno said with the polls just less than 10 days away, all school heads must ensure that no part of school is plastered with posters or any campaign material in anticipation of the deluge of voters on May 10.

Thus, Valisno directed all school heads to immediately remove existing campaign materials within and around school premises to ensure that the integrity and neutrality of the schools and teachers are maintained in the coming elections.

“Since the school is a polling place, no campaign materials must be posted or distributed outside school premises including grounds in front and areas around it such as walls, fences, and sidewalks,” she said.

The DepEd chief also appealed to incumbent local officials, the police and concerned citizens to “help us keep our schools free of campaign materials.”

The DepEd Order, which was released last February, aims to ensure that the teachers and the schools are protected from overt politicking. The program will be in effect for the entire election campaign period until the final outcome of the elections in the local and national level are determined.

To minimize and prevent any conflict of interest that could compromise the dignity of school and its teachers, the DepEd order prohibited the placement of campaign materials such as posters, tarpaulin, billboards and the like in any part of the school and the use of school premises for political rallies and other public meetings.

The department order stressed that to preserve the non-partisan nature of the DepEd, teachers and other school personnel must not be involved in any way in the distribution of campaign materials within the premises of the school. “Distribution of election materials by representative/s of political parties or the candidates may be undertaken outside the school premises,” the order stated.

Meanwhile, Assistant Secretary and DepEd Spokesperson Jonathan Malaya also reminded school heads to place a warning sign at a prominent location on school premises as required by the order. The signage should state: “In compliance with DepEd policy, this school PROHIBITS the posting of campaign materials in school premises. Violators will be PROSECUTED to the fullest extent of the law.”