DepEd's Briones says random drug testing preventive, not punitive

Education Secretary Leonor Briones on Tuesday assured the public that the results of the random drug testing that will be conducted implemented in schools will not be used against students.

"This is a preventive action, this is not a punitive action," Briones told lawmakers from the House of Representatives during the briefing for the Department of Education's proposed P612.117 billion budget for 2018.

The DepEd recently released the guidelines for the conduct of the random drug testing in schools.

Militant groups have expressed opposition to the conduct of random drug tests in schools, saying it is prone to abuse

Briones said the main objective of the drug testing program is to determine the prevalence of drug-related problems in the learners, teachers and staff.

"We can validate this through the drug testing method," she said.

The education secretary likewise said the drug test will be confidential.

"The results of the drug testing will not be on the record of the student. It will not be used for the filing of cases because the purpose really is preventive and rehabilitation, if necessary," Briones said.

"This is a health matter for us that's why ang kausap namin ay Department of Health. It will not be used for a case against any child," she added. —KBK, GMA News