04/08/2026
|EDITORIAL| Closed Gates, Open Minds
When Carmen National High school - Senior High School announced the implementation of the Closed Campus Policy, many students immediately questioned it. Some saw it as a restriction. Others are worried about not being able to buy food outside or spend lunch time the way they usually do. Those concerns are understandable. Change is rarely welcomed, especially when it affects our daily routine. But before we call this policy unfair, we should first ask: Why was it introduced in the first place?
According to the memorandum, the policy is not yet permanent. It is under a 1 month pilot testing period, giving the school time to gather feedback from students, parents, teachers, and other stakeholders. That shows that the administration is not forcing a decision without listening. Instead, it is trying to determine whether the policy truly benefits the school community before making it permanent.
The main purpose of the policy is simple: to keep students safe during school hours. Every day, hundreds of students leave the campus at lunch. Some cross busy roads, while others travel far just to buy food. Most return safely, but all it takes is one accident to remind us why schools have rules in the first place. Once students leave the campus, the school can no longer fully ensure their safety.
Some argue that senior high school students are already old enough to decide for themselves. While that may be true, the school still carries the responsibility of protecting its students during school hours. Parents send their children to school expecting that they will return home safely. That responsibility does not end when the lunch bell rings.
The memorandum also makes it clear that the policy is not without consideration. Students may still leave the campus during emergencies, approved school activities, or other situations authorized by the administration. These exceptions prove that the rule is not meant to punish students but to keep unnecessary risks to a minimum.
Of course, implementing a closed campus also means the school has responsibilities. If students are expected to stay inside during lunch, then the canteen should be able to provide enough affordable food, drinking water should be accessible, and facilities should be ready to accommodate everyone. Students should not be the only ones expected to adjust. The school must also ensure that the policy works fairly for everyone.
At the end of the day, this issue is not really about whether students can leave the campus. It is about what kind of school we want to have. A school that puts safety first may require sacrifices, but those sacrifices are often made for the benefit of everyone.
A closed gate may limit where we can go during lunch, but it also reminds us that the school values something more important than convenience, it values the well-being of every student. If this policy succeeds in creating a safer and more disciplined campus, then perhaps the gates are not closing opportunities after all. Perhaps they are protecting them.
Writer: Rasul Timpolok
Cartoonist: Jorylyn Librando
Lay Out Artist: Dennis Jen Omolon
