Luistro to new DepEd officials: "Be shepherds who smell like your sheep"

Tweet

“Kung ano ang ating tinatanim, ‘yun din ang bunga. Marami kayong mga desisyon na gagawin bilang Assistant Superintendent at Superintendent. At lahat ng mga desisyon na iyan ay desisyon para sa kagawaran at para sa mga kabataang pinagsisilbihan natin.”

This was how Education Secretary Br. Armin A. Luistro FSC challenged the newly-appointed executives of the Department of Education (DepEd) during their oath-taking, April 22. Schools Division Superintendents and Assistant Superintendents are third-level officials whose appointments are signed by the President and who need to swear an oath before the head of the agency.

Luistro reminded the officials of the trials and challenges that may distract them from their responsibilities. He hoped that though those challenges would come, they would still remember how their decisions would affect future generations.

“Ngayon ay ang unang araw na ang lahat ng inyong mga magiging desisyon ay magkakaroon ng bunga na ipapamana natin sa susunod na henerasyon. Ang bawat desisyon ay isang magandang pagkakataon hindi lamang para sa sarili, kung hindi para din sa madla,” Luistro said.

DepEd Undersecretary Rizalino Rivera told the officials that with being a DepEd executive comes the responsibility to, not only take care of their personnel and the students, but to also be an example of what a real worker should be.

“Kaya lagi natin isipin na lahat ng ating gagawin ay tinitignan sa loob at labas ng DepEd. Kaya dapat maging karapat-dapat tayo sa tungkulin natin,” Rivera said.

Regions IV-A, IV-B, V and CAR DepEd executives taking their oath with DepEd Secretary Br. Armin A. Luistro FSC and DepEd Undersecretaries Rizalino Rivera, Mario Deriquito, Alberto Muyot and Francis Varela.

The 18 newly-appointed officials vowed to give their best in doing their tasks and responsibilities and to uphold and protect the Philippine Constitution. Among these officials are Fatima R. Boado, Zenia G. Mostoles, Lorna G. Bugayong, Joann A. Corpuz, Leilani S. Cunanan, Norma P. Esteban, Imelda P. Macaspac, Jose L. Doncillo, Loida N. Nidea, Sally B. Ullalim, Maria Magdalena M. Lim, William E. Gando and Crestito M. Morcilla from Luzon; Allan B. Yap, Dexter Y. Aguilar and Roseller N. Gelig from Visayas; and Mindanao officials, Omar A. Obas and Arsenio T. Cornites Jr.

In closing, Luistro quoted Pope John Paul II and challenged the officials to be officials ‘who smell like their sheep.’ He hopes that all officials would grow familiar and truly be more knowledgeable with the youth whom they will serve this coming June.

DepEd finalizing details of 2014 Palarong Pambansa

Tweet

Top Department of Education (DepEd) officials met Wednesday to finalize details of the 2014 Palarong Pambansa (National Games) to be held May 4 – 10 at Sta Rosa, Laguna. Items discussed are logistical requirements for regional delegates such as food and billeting quarters.

“I am reminding everyone to be sensitive to cultural and religious needs as this is a national event,” Education Secretary Br Armin Luistro FSC said. “Halal food, for example, must be made available to those who require it. “

The Palaro will be participated by almost 10,000 athletes from 17 regions, who will stay in Laguna for one week. The student athletes will be billeted in public schools near the venue, which were inspected Wednesday by the directors and sports coordinators of each region. The schools will be upgraded with the help of the host local government unit (LGU).

“The usual improvements that our schools undergo for Palaro are the installation of screens in classroom windows as well as a renovation of the bathroom facilities,” Assistant Secretary Tonisito Umali, Palarong Pambansa Secretary General, explained. “For schools in the host province, this is a quick ‘Brigada Eskwela’ that results in an upgrade of their physical facilities.”

Luistro, meanwhile, reistated the coaches and chaperones about the DepEd’s Child Protection Policy: “From the time they leave your province, through Palaro, and until they return they are under our care. Make sure that an adult is always present to supervise them,” adding that any decision regional officials make must take into consideration the welfare of the students, especially the younger ones.

The DepEd Secretary also asked everyone to continue the “Clean as you go” and garbage segregation policy for delegates. “Leave the host school cleaner than when you arrived.”

Palarong Pambansa is an annual event showcasing and promoting sportsmanship of Filipino learners. In May 2013, President Benigno Aquino III signed Republic Act No. 10588 or Palarong Pambansa Law institutionalizing the said event. This year’s Palaro is the first Palarong Pambansa under RA 10588.

DepEd and AusAID boost Philippine education

Tweet

The Department of Education (DepEd) and the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) signed the Memorandum of Subsidiary Arrangement (MSA) for the Basic Education Sector Transformation (BEST) Program to boost the education agenda at Neptali Gonzales High School in Mandaluyong, Friday.

“DepEd and AusAID have been partners in pushing the educational agenda for 15 years. This new partnership signifies the commitment of both parties to attain quality education for Filipino learners,” Secretary of Education Armin Luistro said adding that AusAID had always helped the education sector by implementing projects across the country—some of which covered Basic Education Assistance in Mindanao (BEAM), Technical Vocational Educational Project, School Building Projects for Basic Education, and other projects in partnership with DepEd.

The BEST Program, a Aus$150M six-year program, aims to assist the Philippines in improving learning quality and access to education in the context of the K to 12 program. The program would aid in teacher development, boost a unified management and information system, enhance education leadership and management, promote gender sensitive education, and advance curriculum, assessment and materials.

“Through BEST, there will be additional 1,000 classrooms, 40 science and computer laboratories, and two Indigenous Peoples’ Learning Centers for our learners,” said Luistro.

In addition to this, scholarships and trainings for teachers would be provided. A technology and research center focusing on Assessment, Curriculum and ICT in education would be established through this program. It would also aid in strengthening DepEd’s capacity for disaster preparedness.

The program would improve teaching and learning and strengthen systems within the Department. BEST would work at the national level and would provide intensive support to six regions initially—National Capital Region, Bicol, Northern Mindanao, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, and Eastern Visayas.

Present at the signing of MSA were Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Bill Tweddell, Commission of Higher Education Chairperson Patricia Licuanan, and Mayor Benjamin Abalos, Jr.

Secretary Luisitro : Education sector, an active participant in the peace process

Tweet

"We are not only recipients of a successful peace process, we are also active participants in the process. We include peace in our curriculum; we bring the dialogue of different cultures.” - - Secretary Br. Armin Luistro FSC 

Koronadal, South Cotabato -- Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Br. Armin Luistro FSC emphasized the role of education on the peace process in his keynote address on the 4th Regional Research Congress and 1st Communication Festival in Region 12 (SOCCSKSARGEN) held February 11.

“DepEd has always advocated peace. Even before peace process, we put “zone of peace” banners in our schools to emphasize our support to the process,” Luistro said, adding that students were the first affected by any armed conflict due to cancellation of classes and disruption of the learning process. 

Under DepEd Order (DO) no. 44 s. 2005, it is stated that all concerned personnel in the Central and field offices must make the necessary actions to ensure the safety and security of students in each school. This was reiterated by DepEd Memorandum no. 221, s. 2013 which ensures the rights of children even during armed conflicts.

“Kung may alitan sa labas ng lipunan, ang hindi pagkakaunawaan sa iba’t ibang kultura, lumalabas [ito] sa interaksyon ng mga bata sa isa’t isa,” Luistro said emphasizing the importance of inculcating tolerance among students to promote peace in schools.

The education also chief stressed that “in any conflict in the Philippines, for as long as it can be discussed, it can be resolved.”

DepEd, DPWH address 2010 backlog in classrooms

Tweet

The Department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) presented 66,813 classrooms to President Benigno S. Aquino III to address the 2010 backlog.

“This is a collaborative work of private organizations and public institutions, showing commitment to quality education for Filipino learners,” Secretary Br. Armin Luistro FSC said at the ceremonial turnover of classrooms at Carmona National High School (CNHS), one of beneficiaries of additional classrooms. He emphasized significant role of the private sector and local government units (LGUs) in delivering the kind of education that every Filipino child deserved.

The education chief expressed his gratitude to the “partners in education” from the private sector, LGUs, and DPWH in fulfilling its promise to the Filipino learners.

“Before, this is just a dream—a seemingly impossible dream—but with the help of our friends from different sectors, both public and private, we are able to carry on our commitment to address 2010 backlog in classroom,” he added.

The classrooms, which range from one-story structures to multi-floor buildings, were constructed using national and local government funds and donations from the private sector. More than 35,000 classrooms were funded by the national budget; 13,189 classrooms built using LGU funds; 14,886 from local donations; 1,215 from foreign donations; and 2,242 from PPP for School Infrastructure Project (PSIP) I.

He also thanked President Benigno S. Aquino III for his continuous and unwavering support to the education sector. “Through the support and trust of our President Aquino, we are able to accomplish this.” Continuing commitment to basic education

“The Department of Education will continue to provide basic inputs to address incremental enrolment, regular wear and tear, and senior high school (SHS) requirements,” Luistro said. He added that DepEd shall construct more classrooms in 2014 to prepare for the full implementation of SHS (grades 11 and 12) in 2016.

Luistro encourages private schools to focus on the needs of their locality

Tweet

“Come up with relevant programs that will allow your graduates to work in the very city where they were born.”

Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Br. Armin Luistro FSC encourages private schools to focus on the needs of their locality.  He added that schools can help in its respective communities by providing job opportunities for its graduates; thereby, preventing them from being uprooted from where they were. He said that “it will be a challenge that is worth the while of institutions that truly wish to anchor their offerings to the needs of a locality.”

“You will notice that in the past, if you review programs, both high school and tertiary, of both public and private schools, we’ve had the phenomenon of graduates of various programs and careers moving to the big cities. And therefore cutting them off from the very schools and communities where they studied.”

During his keynote address for a two-day conference on the Senior High School (SHS) program organized by the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP), Luistro explained that revolutionizing education by creating programs that answer the needs of the community will open venues to sustainable jobs for the alumni.

“Come up with relevant programs that will allow your graduates to work in the very city where they were born,” said Luistro. He added that schools can help in its respective communities by providing job opportunities for its graduates; thereby, preventing them from being uprooted from where they were. He said that “it will be a challenge that is worth the while of institutions that truly wish to anchor their offerings to the needs of a locality.”

Towards reforms in education 

The education chief also encouraged the private schools to “engage the Department regarding the remaining areas in the SHS curriculum, the other tracks that may not yet be complete.” He added, “You do not have to wait for the final and official curriculum to be out. The Department is happy to be engaged by schools in this regard.”

Aside from this, he emphasized the importance of having educational reforms that would impact the learners. He said, “Like many Filipinos, part of our dreams and hopes is to institutionalize reforms that will really matter. It is easy to change things around. The most difficult thing to do is to ensure that those are the things of great priority.” He said that despite the transition that would take place in education, the learners were still the top priority.

He highlighted the milestones on the implementation of K to 12 program. One of the highlights he noted was the formal institutionalization of the program itself by the virtue of Republic Act 10533, also known as the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013, which was signed in 2013. 

“The Philippine now belongs to the community of nations with at least 12 years of pre-university with the passing of that law. For those of you who have international linkages, it has implications with regard to the mobility of the students and teachers as well as exchange programs between you and your international partners,” he addressed the private schools. In addition to this, he said that K to 12 program also “institutionalized Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTB-MLE).” He said, “This main principle of MTB-MLE is to start the learner in a language that he or she is comfortable with.”

He added that the K to 12 curriculum and learning materials were available for download on the DepEd website. More than this, he stressed that the Department would “continue to reach out to private schools” to help in the alignment of their plans and programs for Senior High School.