Calls for suspension or banning of school field trips have begun flooding the social media following a harrowing bus accident that killed at least 15 and injured a dozen students in Tanay, Rizal Monday.
The mishap happened after a tourist bus slammed into an electric post near Magnetic Hills in Sitio Bayucan, Barangay Sampaloc in the morning. Brake failure was initially cited as the cause of the accident.
Local authorities say, on board the blue bus (with plate number TXS 325) were students from Bestlink College in Novaliches, Quezon City.
The bus, owned by Panda Coach Tours, was carrying more than 50 passengers. They were on their way to a camping trip in a resort when the tragedy took place.
Some parents have turned to social media to air their protest and blamed school officials for making the field trip as part of their school programs. Others have insinuated that some people stand to earn from these field trips.
Almost every year, there have been reports of field trip-related accidents involving students including those who got drowned in a sudden water-surge in a Bulacan.
Just a last week, a top-of-the-class student in a public school in Manila was reported to have been drowned during a trip to Bataan.
Bibo del Corro, a local artist, said the best alternative for field trips are school-based educational shows. “Ito ang magandang alternative sa field trip kasi safe ito and instant ang education na ma derive ng mga bata like sa Philippine history or science.”
Del Corro tried to peddle his educational show to some schools but no takers so far.