Negros Island Region: We are 100% ready for Palaro 2016

Negros Island Region (NIR), which is a newly created region that will be competing for the 59th Palarong Pambansa for the first time, is 100% ready and confident that its athletes will take center stage in the national sporting competition.

According to Department of Education (DepEd)-NIR Regional Director Gilbert Sadsad, “Although this is the first time, we will do our best to compete [with the other regions]. We are ready [and] we are vying for championship.”

In January, DepEd Secretary Br. Armin Luistro FSC said this year’s staging of the Palaro will have many “firsts.” 

DepEd, Albay gear up for Palaro 2016

The Department of Education (DepEd) and the provincial government of Albay continue to gear up for the 59th Palarong Pambansa to be held at the Albay Sports and Tourism Complex, Legaspi City from April 10 to 16, 2016. This is the first time that Albay will host the week-long event that brings together the country’s most promising student-athletes.

With the theme: “Transforming Communities, Transcending Through K to 12,” DepEd aims to promote physical education and sports as an integral part of the Basic Education for holistic development of the youth to become responsible and globally competitive citizens of the country.

Public elementary schools in Mega Manila to receive over 5,000 digital pianos

For years, Placido del Mundo Elementary School (PDMES) in Barangay Talipapa has been joining various competitions to uphold the institution’s honor—one of which are school choir competitions held by both public meets and the private sector. 

Assistant Principal Adela B. Lacaba recalls that the school’s glee club has been practicing without the aid of a piano. “Matagal nang walang matinong piano and PDMES at dahil sumasali kami sa mga competitions gaya ng National Music Competitions for Young Artists (NAMCYA) at Voices in Harmony, mahirap mag-rehearse ng walang piano,” said Lacaba.

As music teacher and choir director Shermaine Bulante pointed out the need for a piano is imperative not only to teach basic music to young learners but also to support the choir group’s rehearsal after school hours. With nothing but the willing hearts of 40 students, she had to manage.

DepEd: Graduation rites 2016 should be simple and non-political

The Department of Education (DepEd) has set out the guidelines for the end of school year rites both in public and private elementary and secondary schools nationwide with emphasis on simple and non-political graduation rites.

Based on DepEd Order No. 7 series of 2016, the education agency stated that all graduation ceremonies should be scheduled on or before   April 1, 2016 and that the rites should be simple, solemn and meaningful events.

“While we recognize that graduation marks a milestone in one’s life, let our focus be on our sense of community and personal responsibility as graduates whose journey in life has just begun,” Education Secretary Br. Armin A. Luistro FSC emphasized.

DepEd produces a new breed of educ leaders

In its continued commitment to provide quality basic education to Filipino learners, the Department of Education (DepEd) stepped up its education management through the Superintendents’ Leadership Program (SLP).

SLP aims to strengthen leadership and management in education. It aspires to further the level of competency of all Schools Division Superintendents (SDS) and other school officials amidst DepEd’s ever-advancing policies, strategies, and organization. It is anchored on the survey that the DepEd conducted to determine the challenges, opportunities, and skills set that are integral to the changes brought by the K to 12 Program.

Secretary Br. Armin A. Luistro FSC said, “This leadership program is not only for the public schools of DepEd. I think that this is the high time to institutionalize this program for the both public and private institutions in this country. I hope that this program will be enlarged and enhanced for us to reach others. ”

ARMM to bring Grade 10 completers to Senior High School

The Department of Education (DepEd) has enjoined the education stakeholders in the Autonomous Region Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) to encourage Grade 10 completers to enroll in the Senior High School in June 2016, noting that there are only 19,658 early registrants out of the target 28,915 students.

“Look for those Grade 10 students who have not enrolled yet in SHS,” Education Secretary Br. Armin A. Luistro FSC said.

Luistro made the pitch during the K to 12 Summit held recently at the Notre Dame of Jolo College where hundreds of education stakeholders—students from public and private schools, parents, teachers, and school division superintendents pledged their support for the full implementation of the K to 12 Basic Education Program.

DepEd sets February 15 deadline for SHS Voucher Program

The Department of Education (DepEd) has set February 15, 2016 as the deadline of application for the Senior High School (SHS) Voucher Program for Grade 10 completers who are not Education Service Contracting (ESC) grantees, who will pursue SHS in June 2016.

The SHS voucher program is a form of government subsidy which offers discount in school fees when a student enrolls in a private school that offers the SHS program, starting SY 2016-2017. It is intended for Grade 10 completers who wish to pursue SHS education in private high schools, local universities & colleges; state universities & colleges; and technical and vocational Schools.

DepEd to establish new schools for indigenous peoples in Mindanao

Pursuing its commitment to provide culture-based education and help ensure lasting peace in Mindanao, the Department of Education (DepEd) will establish 5 new schools for Higaonon communities in Gingoog, Misamis Oriental.

The new schools will be established in Barangays Kalipay, Hindangon, Bantaawan, and Bal-ason, and will be ready to accept its first batch of learners this coming school year (SY) 2016-2017.

Meanwhile in other parts of Mindanao, DepEd will establish 246 more schools for the indigenous communities in Regions IX, X, XI, XII, and XIII. The Agency will establish a total of 251 schools in time for SY 2016-2017.

Luistro: next biggest educ reform will come from ARMM

In his visit to Jolo, Education Secretary Br. Armin A. Luistro FSC said he is confident that the creativity of Muslim Mindanao will create the next biggest educational reform in Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

“The most colorful Filipinos are Muslims. There are so many colors seen in a Muslim gathering. They wear colors from head to toe... People who love colors are the most creative people,” Luistro said during the K to 12 Summit held in Jolo, Sulu.

Luistro added that the most creative solutions will come from the Filipinos in ARMM. He said that, “If we walk together, we will be able to outshine the other provinces... the next biggest reform in education will come from here.”

DepEd, Albay ink MOA for 2016 Palarong Pambansa

The Department of Education (DepEd) signs an agreement with the provincial government of Albay—the host of the2016 Palarong Pambansa in Legazpi City—stipulating the duties and responsibilities of both parties to ensure a well-managed and professionally-run annual national sporting event.

DepEd Secretary Br. Armin Luistro FSC said this year’s staging of the Palaro will have many “firsts.”  “I want to highlight that this is Albay’s first ever hosting of the Palaro. This is also the first time that 18 regions will take action -- not the usual 17 regions --because of the participation of   the Negros Island Region,” he explained.

DepEd, private partners completed 1st PPP school project

The Department of Education (DepEd) and its private partners have completed the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) for School Infrastructure Project (PSIP) Phase I. Last December 04, 2015, the 9, 296 classrooms were already constructed and delivered in three (3) regions: Region I, III and IV-A. This is the first PPP project of the said agency.

The PSIP Phase I involved the design, financing and construction of about 9,296 one-storey and two-storey classrooms, including furniture and fixtures. The project aims to supplement the current program of DepEd in reducing classroom backlog. Over 400,000 students are expected to benefit from this PPP project.

DepEd to open its recruitment online through Kalibrr

The Department of Education (DepEd), along with four government agencies, signed a  Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Bagumbayani and Kalibrr to democratize the recruitment through widening the contracting net and the market reach of the government online.

[L-R] Bureau of Local Government and Finance OIC Executive Director Jocelyn Pendon, DepEd Undersecretary for Regional Operations Rizalino Rivera, Kalibrr Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and co-founder Paul Rivera, Department of Transportation and Communications Undersecretary Rene Limcaoco, Department of Social Welfare and Development Undersecretary Angelita Gregorio-Medel and Public-Private Partnership Center Executive Director Cosette Canilao in the MOA signing to democratize recruitment in government agencies through Kalibrr.

Kalibrr is a job-matching online platform for job seekers and companies. Its cloud-based platform enhances the way applicants find jobs and companies hire talents through its series of enhanced assessments. Bagumbayani is a youth organization consisting of civil servants promoting positive change and integrity in the government by sustainably recruiting young people into the civil service.

Youth initiatives on education heard at SEAMEO Innotech 14th International Conference

To provide an avenue for the voices of young people of Southeast Asian nations, the SEAMEO Regional Center for Educational Innovation and Technology (SEAMEO Innotech) held its 14th International Conference focusing on empowering Southeast Asian learners by further addressing the Education For All (EFA) goals.

In partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd), the two-day conference gave an opportunity for some 150 youth leaders and educators from 15 different countries to discuss key issues on development agenda for education, especially for the upcoming Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) integration. The participants’ final outputs were presented to the Council of Ministers of Education and SEAMEO high officials.

DepEd holds National K to 12 Conference

“If yesterday I was celebrating with you what we have done, today I stand with great pride telling myself, "Ang sarap maging Pilipino. Pero mas masarap maging DepEd." Never in my life can I say that with conviction.”

Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Br. Armin A. Luistro FSC said during the culmination of the first National K to 12 Conference held at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), December 4.

Public school principal invents energy sufficient system, garners international award

William Moraca, a school head at the Datal Salvan Elementary School in San Jose, General Santos City, has won an international award for his contributions not only to the school but also to the Blaan and T’boli indigenous communities where his students belong.

Known for being an avid supporter of educational development, Thailand Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn has provided opportunities for the underprivileged youth in far-flung areas by means of education. To honor such cause, the Princess Maha Chakri Award (PMCA) gives recognition to 11 dedicated teachers in Southeast Asia whose outstanding achievements generate benefits to education and human development. Moraca received the PMCA for the Philippines during its awarding ceremony last October 2, 2015 in Bangkok, Thailand during Her Royal Highness’ 60th birthday.

DepEd, IP groups strengthen commitment to Indigenous Peoples education

The Department of Education (DepEd) and indigenous peoples (IP) groups nationwide gathered together today, November 12, to strengthen partnership for IP education (IPEd) through the symbolic signing of affirmation of commitment.

Education Secretary Br. Armin Luistro FSC said, “Ang ating ipinagdiriwang ngayon ay isang lakbayin na hindi pa tapos. Hindi ito madali dahil kailangan nating umakyat, at sa ating pag-akyat, walang maiiwan. Kailangan sabay-sabay, tulung-tulong at walang bibitiw para masigurado natin na ang ating inumpisahan ay matatapos.”

“Kailangan nating siguraduhin na buhay ang katutubong kaalaman sa loob ng sistema ng edukasyon,” he added.

Part of the affirmation of commitment to IPEd is the inauguration of a pakedlan, an indigenous space for coming together among the Kankanaey peoples of Benguet, at the Baguio Teachers Camp, where a ritual was conducted together with the IP community representatives from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao to culminate the gains of IPEd. The inauguration of a pakedlan symbolizes the recognition of indigenous learning systems within the education system.

DepEd strengthens protection for children-at-risk and in conflict with the law

“Hindi pwedeng mawala ang Department of Educaton (DepEd) sa child protection. Tayo ang tulay sa reintegration ng mga children at risk at mga children in conflict with the law,” Undersecretary for Legal and Legislative Affairs Atty. Alberto Muyot said during the workshop on the guidelines and procedures on the management of children-at-risk and children in conflict with the law as detailed in DepEd Order No. 18, s. 2015.

DepEd, DOH, DSWD team up to combat dengue in schools nationwide

In its continued commitment to promote and provide a safer and healthier learning environment for Filipino learners, the Department of Education (DepEd) has joined forces with the Department of Health (DOH) and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in battling dengue through the continued installation of insecticide-treated screens (ITS) in public schools during the launching of Brigada Para sa Kalinisan.

Brigada para sa Kalinisan aims to gather local community leaders, parents, and schools to work together in keeping the environment sanitized to prevent dengue in schools and communities. DOH has recently distributed 20,000 ITS rolls to selected public elementary schools in different parts of the country.

Albay wins bid to host 2016 Palarong Pambansa

After careful deliberation and tedious evaluation by officials of the Department of Education (DepEd) and Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Legazpi City, Albay won the bid to host the Palarong Pambansa 2016. The province won over Tuguegarao City, Cagayan–its only competitor for the annual national games.

Before announcing the results of the vote, Education Secretary Br Armin Luistro FSC asked both provinces to continue supporting the agency’s sports development program, saying, "Sana ipagpatuloy po ninyo ang inyong naka-atas na mga programa para sa sports sa inyong probinsiya at sana makasama pa po kayo ng DepEd at ng PSC doon sa iba pang sports events. Mayroon po tayong Batang Pinoy, Philippine National Games, at iba pang programa.”

DepEd extends early registration for Senior High School

The Department of Education (DepEd) has extended the early registration period for Senior High School (SHS) from October 19 to November 13, 2015 to ensure that incoming SHS students are enrolled in SHS come June 2016.  

Education Secretary Br. Armin Luistro FSC said that the extension will give all incoming SHS students ample time to decide on their choice of SHS track. “We want our students to be aware of the importance of choosing a track that suits their interest and matches job opportunities that await them,” he added.