The Philippine Online Chronicles

Starting this June, high school students will be taught about their rights as consumers.

The Department of Education (DepEd) will introduce consumer education and basic lessons on trade and business in the secondary education curriculum, to be implemented for school year 2010 to 2011.

DepEd's latest policy, dubbed the Integrated Consumer Education Program (ICEP), is pursuant to the Consumer Act of the Philippines (Republic Act 7394), which states: “The State shall implement provision of information and education to facilitate sound choice and the proper exercise of rights by the consumer.”

“The best way to ensure that our consumers’ rights and responsibilities are well-protected is through education,” DepEd Secretary Mona Valisno said.

She explained that the ICEP will be integrated in eight subjects in the high school curriculum, which include English, Mathematics, Filipino, Araling Panlipunan (Social Studies), Values, Science, Technology and Livelihood Education, and Music, Arts, Physical Education, and Health (MAPEH).

“Through this partnership with DepEd, we want our students to make wise choices, get value for their money as well as influence their families in becoming informed and smart consumers,” said Department of Trade and Industy Secretary Jesli Lapus, who preceded Valisno as DepEd Secretary.

Aside from consumers' rights, the ICEP will also include basic lessons on the Price Act and Standards Law in order for students to comprehend how prices on goods are set. It will also include basic lessons on the stock market and the finance economy through the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) Module Development Project.

"In the face of a global financial downturn, the collaboration between the DepEd and the PSE to introduce capital markets education in secondary schools comes at a no better time," Lapus said.

The ICEP, which was drafted two years ago, will be pilot-tested in 115 high schools nationwide before being fully implemented in the next school year.