Epson provides technical training to Gift of Brightness beneficiary San Jose Elementary School - Pag-ibig sa Nayon Annex

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Epson Philippines imparted important technical know-how in operating the Epson products to San Jose Elementary School Pag-ibig sa Nayon Annex in Quezon City.The school had earlier received a donation through the Gift of Brightness Program, in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd). Product orientation and technical trainings were put into place to enable the school faculty and students to maximize the use of the Technology Package and help enrichthe learning process for Filipino students.

Epson’s Mark Raleih Esguerra(left) leads the technical training and product orientation conducted for San Jose Elementary School Pag-ibig sa Nayon Annex faculty to help them be equipped in using the Epson Technology package donated under the Gift of Brightness program. 

Each beneficiary school received an Epson Technology package that includes the L220 Multifunction Color Printers and L Series Inks; M100 Single Function Monochrome Printers and Inks; an LQ310 Dot Matrix Printer and SIDM Ribbons, LW400 Label Printers and LW Ribbons, Epson projectors and a document camera.

“These technical training sessions for all schools that received the Epson GoB Technology Package ensure that we also provide relevant assistance to the custodians and students on the proper usage and maintenance, so that they can have confidence in deploying the use of these products for teaching and learning,” shared Mr. Ed Bonoan, Senior General Manager and Head of Marketing, Epson Philippines 

San Jose Elementary School Pag-ibig sa Nayon Annex faculty led by Principal Joey Mancia (back, middle) joins the Epson team during the GOB Technical Training session. 

Since the launch of the Epson Gift of Brightness, Epson has partnered with key media and government institutions to select the most-deserving and in-need schools that can benefit from the technologically advanced equipment, including high-volume printers, high brightness projectors and user-friendly scanners. 

“Until now, teachers use a lot of Manila Paper to produce visuals for their students. Sometimes we also use an overhead projector that requires a lot of acetates. But now, thanks to Epson, we have a projector to replace those old teaching tools, and we are sure that this will motivate our students to study harder and help them be more engaged in the day-to-day lessons,” shared Principal Joey Mancia, who heads both the Pag-ibig sa Nayon Annex and the San Jose Elementary School Main.

The Pag-ibig sa Nayon Annex of San Jose Elementary School consistently ranks among the top schools of the DepEd NCR Quezon City Division. 

The Gift of Brightness advocacy of Epson Philippines was launched in December 2013, and has now benefited a total of 30 schools nationwide. Epson Philippines is currently selecting another batch of beneficiary schools with the help of DepEd and other partners.

“The Epson Gift of Brightness program is our advocacy for education and the Filipino youth.After our first partnership with the Department of Education last year, we are now embarking on another batch of beneficiaries for the Epson-DepEd Gift of Brightness, and some other schools that have directly asked Epson for help. We are focusing on selecting schools from areas that have yet to receive a similar donation. The new batch of GoB schools will be very soon,” concludes Ms. Donna V. Ferro, Head of Marketing Communications and PR, Epson Philippines.

Education stakeholders gather for Education Summit 2016

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Education stakeholders from the government, the private sector, and civil society will gather for the Education Summit 2016 to be held at the SMX Mall of Asia on November 3 and 4. 

Education Summit that will focus on crafting the education agenda of the Duterte administration.

The Summit is co-organized by the Department of Education (DepEd), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). Scheduled speakers include Senator Bam Aquino, Education Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones, CHED Chairperson Patricia Licuanan, and TESDA Director General Guiling Mamondiong.

“Times have truly changed and we need to change with it. The success of the Education Summit, moreover the national education, lies in our collective understanding and acceptance of the permanence of change, and our ability to respond to it," said Briones.

Education Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones said that the upcoming event is a follow through to the recent (sectoral) Social Development Initiatives Summit held in Davao City that aimed to flesh out the social development agenda of the administration.

The outcome of the Education Summit will be the education sector’s input to the next Philippine Development Plan.

“Through this summit, we hope to lay down a clear roadmap that will make education accessible, relevant and liberating,” Briones emphasized.

Part of the 10-point socio-economic agenda of the Duterte administration is to increase spending in basic education and incorporate mandatory education about the evils of drugs. According to Briones, another key focus of the Department of Education (DepEd) is to intensify and expand the Alternative Learning System (ALS).

Over 500 stakeholders will attend the 2016.  Participate in the online discussion by sharing your thoughts or questions using the hashtag #EducSummit2016.

Epson Philippines partners with DepEd on Gift of Brightness program to provide schools with technology

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Epson Philippines has partnered with the Philippines’ Department of Education’s (DepEd) Adopt-a-School Program to provide Epson printers and projectors to public schools, to help address the shortage of resources as well as help in the delivery of better quality education to public schools in the country, particularly in the poverty-stricken provinces and areas.

Ninoy Aquino Elementary School, one of the school beneficiaries of the Epson Gift of Brightness program, utilizing the Epson 3LCD interactive projector in their science discovery laboratory classroom

DepEd nominated the beneficiary schools from each targeted area based on performance, with DepEd’s Bureau of Educational Assessment (BFA) providing a list of top ranking primary and secondary schools from 2015 to 2016. From this list, Epson selected schools located across the country and within Epson’s service areas, to help facilitate new user training and visits with the schools’ faculty members.

Epson will be benefitting fifteen schools with this batch of donations, bringing the number of beneficiary schools from the Gift of Brightness programme to a total of thirty since the program started in 2014. 

Fourteen schools were selected from DepEd’s list of Top Performing Schools for School year 2015-2016, with an additional school directly chosen by Epson Philippines to complete the number of recipients for the second batch. 

Each beneficiary school will be receiving an Epson Technology package that includes Epson Ink Tank System printers – the L220 Multifunction Color Printers and L-Series Inks; the Epson WorkForce M100 Single Function Monochrome Printers and Inks; an LQ310 Dot Matrix Printer and SIDM Ribbons, Labelworks LW400 Label Printers and ribbons, portable EB-S31 projectors and a document camera.

“Schools that already received a Technology package from Epson in the past years have relayed to us how much the products helped make teaching and studying exciting and enriching. These stories have inspired us to continue equipping schools that do not have the financial capacity to acquire them. We would also include a 1-year supply of inks and ribbons along with the equipment, to ensure that these products will help out in the students’ assignments and other school requirements,” explains Epson Philippines head of Marcom and PR Donna V. Ferro.

The recipients include schools from:

Ilagan, Isabela, Calapan, Mindoro, Balanga, Bataan, Lapu-Lapu,Cebu, Roxas, Capiz, Talisay, Cebu, Zamboanga City, General Santos, South Cotabato, Butuan, Agusan Del Norte, Baguio City (CAR), Valenzuela City, NCR, Paranaque City, NCR, Pasay City, NCR, Quezon City, NCR, and Las Pinas City, NCR.

“The Epson Gift of Brightness program is Epson’s way of supporting the development of youth and contributing towards the education sector. This is an ongoing advocacy effort, and we are always looking for like-minded partners, groups and organizations to help us select schools from all over the country. For this year, DepEd made it possible for us to access top-ranking schools who truly need the resources we can offer. It is our hope that their students will be able to continue towards a brighter future with the help of technology that can make their learning experience even more fruitful,” concludes Ms. Ferro.

Doing Good While Doing Well: Philam Group institutionalizes annual donation to intensify CSR efforts

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This year, Philam Group  pledge to do more by institutionalizing its annual donation to intensify its CSR efforts.

Many companies adhere to a sense of corporate social responsibility through educational and social programs that benefit a marginalized sector of the population or the society at large. 

One of these is the Philam Group of companies, which has been a staunch advocate of the importance of giving back to the community. 

Philam Life Chief Executive Officer Aibee Cantos

“For the past 69 years of philanthropic success, we have been actively enriching the lives of Filipino families through our various CSR programs. This year, we want to do more by pledging a portion of our annual income to ensure our CSR programs continue to expand its reach and enable us to serve more communities,” Philam Life Chief Executive Officer Aibee Cantos said during the recent briefing with the press dubbed as “Doing Good While Doing Well," held at the Philam Tower, Makati City. 

The Philam Paaralan is one of the notable projects of Philam Foundation, Philam Group’s CSR arm.  Philam Paaralan aims to build classrooms in calamity-stricken areas around the country, in coordination with the Department of Education. To date, the program has constructed 101 classrooms for the past four years.

The Philam Paaralan classrooms are typhoon-resilient, fully-furnished and complete with water sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities that are essential in providing schoolchildren a healthy environment conducive for learning.

The Philam Group, composed of Philam Life, BPI-Philam, and Philam Asset Management Inc., (PAMI), has pooled their combined annual donation amounting to Php31 million, which will be used to finance more Philam Paaralan classrooms and other noteworthy projects. 

A ceremonial check turnover from Philam Group to Philam Foundation was held during the event.

Also present during the event were AIA Regional CEO Gordon Watson, Philam Foundation President Max Ventura, Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Armin Luistro, and Insurance Commissioner Emmanuel Dooc.

Insurance Commissioner Emmanuel Dooc.

In his speech, Commissioner Dooc commended the Philam Group’s selfless act of institutionalizing its annual donation that would benefit more marginalized sectors of society.

DepEd Secretary Armin Luistro 

DepEd Secretary Armin Luistro also gave a short message, thanking the Philam Group for being a forerunner in providing support to the education sector. The DepEd has been working closely with the Foundation in identifying schools that are most in need of new classrooms.

“Given Philam Group’s strong financial position, we want to be able to ‘do good while doing well,’ and we are happy to create a sustainable contribution to the community thorugh the Philam Paaralan programme. In line with our thrust to empower more Filipinos to live longer, healthier and better lives, we want to build more classrooms and give more children a healthy education and a better life for the future,”  said Cantos. 

For more information on Philam Life and Philam Foundation, please visit www.philamlife.com

Over 1M students enrolled in Senior HS

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At past 11am today (June 17), the Department of Education (DepEd) breached the 1 million mark reporting that 1,009,139 Grade 11 learners are now enrolled in Senior High Schools (SHS) nationwide. DepEd is expecting numbers to rise further since as of June 17, DepEd records show that over 1,600 schools are yet to submit and report their SHS enrollment data to DepEd. 

"Napatunayan ng Pilipino na handa tayo sa pagbabago. Nakatawid na tayo sa liwanag. Kaya naman pala ng Pinoy kung ating pagtutulungan," Education Secretary Br. Armin Luistro FSC said.

Of the over 1M learners, around 691,000 SHS students are enrolled in public schools (DepEd-funded schools and public universities and colleges) and more than 317,000 are in private schools.

Photo : https://www.facebook.com/DepEd.Philippines/

DepEd's real time Learner Information System revealed that some 610,000 chose to take the Academic track; over 394,000 Technical-Vocational-Livelihood track; 2,728 are in Arts and Design track, and 1,537 in Sports track.

DepEd provides 184 SHS with IT equipment to support K to 12 implementation

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The Department of Education (DepEd) is set to deliver information technology (IT) equipment to stand-alone Senior High Schools (SHS) nationwide to support the implementation of the K to12 Program.

Education Secretary Br. Armin A. Luistro FSC said, “What we need is to bring technology into the classroom and not be fully dependent on a textbook or the teacher. Computers will never replace teachers. Technology should allow teachers to spend more time to those who need it more.”

Each Senior High School will receive an IT equipment package which consists of 7 host personal computers (PCs), 42 terminals, 2 laptops, 2 projectors, 7 uninterruptible power supplies, 7 automatic voltage regulators and other network accessories.

In line with this, DepEd has conducted a demonstration on installation and configuration of the actual IT equipment at Pateros National High School. The event was attended by Education Secretary Br. Armin A. Luistro FSC and UNDP Country Director Mr. Titon Mitra.

 

“What you are seeing are digitized modules for grade 11. I’ve always dreamt that our schools should not be textbook dependent,” Luistro added.

DepEd partnered with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to procure and deliver the IT equipment package for the schools. With its global experience and track record in co-implementing programs with governments, including implementation of Government projects using Government funds, UNDP delivers the highest standards of transparency and achieves cost efficiency and timely delivery of project outputs through more flexible procurement procedures. 

“What you’re seeing now is the fastest procurement of IT packages in a government agency. UNDP came to us as an answer to our prayer,” Luistro said.

This partnership enables DepEd to have access to its global network of service providers and experts and use available corporate and regional long-term framework agreements, which can facilitate and shorten the procurement process. 

With just 3 months of procurement, UNDP was able to award contracts for the provision of 184 ICT packages to SHS stand-alone schools within the budget provided by DepEd.

 

DepEd has started the roll out of SHS nationwide beginning with Grade 11 this school year and Grade 12 next year to complete the 12-year basic education cycle under the K to 12 Program.

Some 11, 000 public and private senior high schools nationwide opened their doors to the pioneering batch of Grade 11 students.

DepEd promotes positive discipline in everyday teaching

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The Department of Education (DepEd), in cooperation with E-Net Philippines and Save the Children, will launch the Primer on Positive Discipline for Everyday Teaching on Monday, June 6, 2016, 9 am at the DepEd NCR Conference Hall, Department of Education-National Capital Region, Regional Office.

DepEd Secretary Armin Luistro FSC during the launch of the Primer on Positive Discipline for Everyday Teaching.

The Primer was created to help teachers apply a positive approach in classroom management and will be distributed to teachers nationwide. The Primer will also be used as a training tool for positive discipline.

"This Primer will be most valuable to our teachers so that they can cope with the day to day challenges of having to deal with young, active learners using positive reinforcement," Education Secretary Br. Armin A. Luistro FSC said.

Luistro pointed out that the primer is consistent with the DepEd policy on zero tolerance for any act of violence against children in school, including corporal punishment, as detailed in the DepEd Child Protection Policy (DO No. 40, s. 2012). "We recognize that teachers, administrators and staff, as stewards of learning institutions, are responsible for an enabling and supportive environment for effective learning based on the principles of positive discipline," the education chief added.

The Primer also comes with some pointers on ways to enhance teacher's well-being in order to help them cope with stress.

DepEd has earlier issued a Child Protection Policy that prohibits corporal punishment and all forms of abuse and promotes positive and non-violent discipline in schools.

DepEd receives over Php 8.4M worth of donations during Brigada Eskwela Kick-off

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Private partners turn over bicycles, boats, solar-powered lamps, school supplies, and ceremonial library keys to Department of Education officials during the Brigada Eskwela kick-off program at Sta. Cruz Pingkian National High School, Nueva Vizcaya.

With the Brigada Eskwela 2016 kick-off and the preparation for the opening on June 13, various partners from the private sector donated boats, bicycles, solar-powered lamps, and school supplies that amounted to at least Php 8.4 million.

San Miguel Foundation, Inc. donated 1,000 bicycles worth Php 3,000,000 for several schools nationwide. 81 bicycles were distributed to students of Sta. Cruz Pingkian National High School, while 150 bicycles were given out to students of Kakiduguen National High School in Nueva Vizcaya.

Meanwhile, a boat was donated by Samsung Electronics Philippines Corporation to ferry 24 children to and from school in a remote community in Nueva Vizcaya.

ICAD Foundation donated 1,443 solar lamps while One Meralco Foundation, Inc. donated 10,000 lamps.

The Latter Days Saint Charities likewise donated a total 2,825 solar-powered lamps worth Php 847,500.00.

In addition to these, the National Bookstore Foundation, Inc. donated an additional 5,000 sets of school supplies and also pledged to build libraries in 5 schools in Nueva Vizcaya.

The donations amounted to Php 8,397,500 benefitting thousands of students from various elementary and secondary schools.

Brigada Eskwela kick-off program

The bicycles, boats, solar lamps, and ceremonial library key were turned over to the Department of Education (DepEd) officials at Sta. Cruz Pingkian National High School, Kayapa, Nueva Vizcaya, where the Brigada Eskwela 2016 natonal kick-off program was held.

Brigada Eskwela is a nationwide program that aims to bring together teachers, parents, and community members to prepare schools for the start of classes in June. 

In his welcoming remarks, DepEd Nueva Vizcaya Schools Division Superintendent Samuel Soliven expressed gratitude to all the donors “who have come here to share their resources to the last, the least, and the lost.”

DepEd Region II Regional Director Estela Carino said she is deeply thankful for giving her office the chance to hold the Brigada Eskwela kick-off program before DepEd Secretary Br. Armin A. Luistro FSC steps down as education chief.

“We have decided to hold Brigada Eskwela here in Nueva Vizcaya. Every year, we bring the national kick-off ceremonies to different regions to convey the message that Brigada Eskwela is for all,” Undersecretary for Partnerships and External Linkages Mario Deriquito said.

Deriquito added that, “We have been doing this for 14 years since 2003. Let us make sure that everything in our schools gets fixed... let us emphasize and give priority to safety. Let us identify the underserved schools and let us help them.”

“Brigada Eskwela is not just for schools but for the whole community,” Luistro said. 

‘Kayang kaya pa’

In a separate press conference, Luistro said that DepEd wanted to hold the Brigada Eskwela kick-off program in an indigenous community.

Sta. Cruz Pingkian National High School caters to learners from indigenous communities.

“K to 12 is about the last mile also. It’s also about non-formal education. It’s also about the IP (indigenous peoples) communities. It’s also about 6th class municipalities,” Luistro said.

“If you look at the map of where we are putting up the senior high schools, we wanted to make sure that all the way to the 6th class municipalities, there are senior high schools. The special groups that we have included in the last mile efforts—street children, those with disabilities, IP groups—they are all part of this,” he added.

“Looking at the landscape, Kayapa has the best population of all of those last milers; besides, Kayapa can also be read as ‘Kaya pa.’ Last push, kayang kaya pa,” Luistro noted.

Luistro welcomes Duterte’s support for K to 12

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Several weeks before Senior High School officially starts on June 13, 2016, Education Secretary Br. Armin A. Luistro FSC has welcomed the next administration’s decision to support the K to 12 program.

“I am grateful and very appreciative that the new administration [of Incoming President Rodrigo Duterte] is supportive of the educational reforms that Department of Education (DepEd), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and Commission on Higher Education (CHED), along with our stakeholders, have worked on the past six years,” Luistro said.

In a press briefing held last May 23, Duterte said he now supports the K to 12 program after it was thoroughly explained to him.

Rodrigo Duterte

“I said I was against it early on when it was being implemented. But some of the bright guys in DepEd came to see me here in Davao and explained to me how we are lagging behind our neighbors,” Duterte said.

The Philippines is the last country in Asia and one of only three countries worldwide, apart from Angola and Djibouti, with a 10-year pre-university cycle.

Education Secretary Br. Armin A. Luistro FSC 

“I am currently attending the 9th ASEAN Education Ministers meeting in Kuala Lumpur and our discussions here are a reaffirmation of the need to take on the K to 12 reform so as to ensure that we can keep pace with the education standards of ASEAN and the world,” Luistro said. 

“I trust that the next administration will build on the gains and enhance the achievements made in the education sector, while taking on the new challenges in the ever-changing landscape in this part of the globe” he added.

The K to 12 Program added two years in high school, Grades 11 and 12, and institutionalized the kindergarten program—covering a total of 13 years of basic education.

The first batch of Grade 11 students will start on June 13, 2016.

DepEd urged schools: Don’t require expensive school supplies

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The Department of Education (DepEd) reiterates its call to all public schools to avoid requiring expensive school supplies for students to purchase as classes begin this year. 

The DepEd made the appeal together with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) during the special monitoring activity for school supplies in bookstores around Recto Ave., Manila.

DepEd Assistant Secretary for Legal and Legislative Affairs Atty. Tonisito M.C. Umali urged the administrators of public schools to refrain from prescribing any branded or expensive school supplies which contribute to budgetary constraints of parents specially those with children studying in public schools.

“Makakaasa po kayo na ang ating mga pampublikong paaralan ay hindi mag-oobliga ng mga mamahaling school supplies. No specific type or brand of school supplies will be required.” 

“Maski po yung mga lumang kwaderno na spiral na may sobrang pahina na hindi nagamit noong nakaraang taon ay pwedeng pagsama-samahin at tahiin,” Umali added.

Also, Umali urges the public to check the Gabay sa Pamimili ng School Supplies released by the DTI to properly guide consumers in their purchase of school supplies.

“Ito po ay inilalagay natin sa website at social media accounts ng DepEd na may link diretso sa website ng DTI kung saan makikita ang karagdagang impormasyon ukol dito.”

The special monitoring activity for school supplies was spearheaded by the DTI, together with representatives from DepEd, Department of Health-Food and Drug Administration (DOH-FDA), Local Government Unit-Manila and Senator Bam Aquino.

The monitoring team reported stable and reasonable prices on school supplies.

DepEd’s Operation Balik-Eskwela Set for June School Opening

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The Department of Education (DepEd) and its regional and division offices nationwide are all set for the opening of classes in June 13, 2016—one of the most significant events for the education sector—setting into motion the nationwide Oplan Balik Eskwela (OBE) 2016.

Under the OBE, DepEd activates quick response teams, emergency hotlines and helpdesks to respond to needs and queries pertaining to school opening. Moreover, DepEd has already prepared and disseminated the guidelines and standard procedures in all schools on the conduct the school opening event.


This year, DepEd teamed up with IBEX Global Solutions, a call center, to set up a Senior High School (SHS) Help Desk with the hotline number 667-1188. The said help desk will be operational on Monday, May 23, 2016, and will be open from 9am to 6pm, Mondays to Fridays until June 30, 2016.

“Our goal is to ensure that we will have a smooth opening of classes, with all concerns –major and minor – promptly addressed by the department and our partner agencies from other government agencies and the private sector,” Education Secretary Br. Armin A. Luistro FSC said.

Incidentally, also this June, DepEd is rolling out the final leg of the K to 12 Law which is the SHS Program. This year, Grade 11 will be introduced in all schools nationwide – public and private.

The annual OBE aims to address all possible concerns and challenges that may arise from the school opening such as school records, room assignment, classrooms, teachers, power and water supply, traffic, peace and order, weather condition and prices of school supplies, among others.

DepEd takes the lead in enlisting the support and teamwork among school opening key stakeholders by convening an inter-agency task force way ahead of the school opening.

“The practice of working harmoniously with our partner agencies every school opening has resulted to better coordination and smoother issues management arising from this annual national event,"  Luistro said.

DepEd K to 12 Law on its 3rd year anniversary

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The Department of Education (DepEd) enjoins the whole country in the observance of the 3rd year anniversary of the signing into law by President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III, Republic Act No. 10533, An Act Enhancing the Philippine Education System by Strengthening Its Curriculum and Increasing the Number of Years for Basic Education otherwise known as the K to 12 Law.

The K to 12 Program covers 13 years of basic education with the following stages: Kindergarten to Grade 3, Grades 4 to 6, Grade 7 to 10 (Junior High School) and Grades 11 to 12 (Senior High School). This is found to be the best period for learning under basic education. It is also the recognized standard for students and professionals globally.

The Program holds distinct significance this coming School Year 2016-2017 as the Department begins the implementation of the Grade 11 of the Senior High School (SHS) Program, the first of the 2 cohorts (Grades 11 and 12) which were added to the country's 10-year basic education system.

Recently, the Supreme Court on March 15 dismissed several petitions filed against the implementation of the K to 12 Program, thus paving the way for its continued operation particularly the said SHS Program.

As the country girds for the opening of classes this coming School Year 2016-2017 on June 13, 2016, the Department through Education Secretary Br .Armin A. Luistro FSC invites and enjoins everyone to give their full support to the successful implementation of K to 12 Program specially the SHS Program.

DepEd commends public school teachers for orderly, peaceful elections

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Department of Education Secretary Br. Armin A. Luistro FSC 

Department of Education Secretary Br. Armin A. Luistro FSC in a press briefing commended the public school teachers for their efficient and effective performance during the national and local elections.

“The teachers went out of their way to make this election generally peaceful and very orderly. Their transmission of the results is the fastest in my memory. They have proven that they can be trusted as they remained apolitical,” Luistro stressed.

He also expressed gratitude for their support, “Saludo ako at nagpapasalamat sa kaguruan. Sa palagay ko, ito na ang pinaka-successful, clean and very efficient election natin.”

Luistro reported that no untoward incidents had happened to any of the public school teachers nationwide who performed election duty.

“Ang napakagandang balita ay ang ating command center ay walang naitalang ulat ng any untoward incident especially with respect to our teachers. As of now, wala pa tayong natatalang death or injuries to our teachers,” Luistro said.

There are 409,392 DepEd personnel composed of Board of Election Inspectors (BEIs), Special Board of Election Inspectors (SBEIs), Boards of Canvassers (BOCs), support staff and DepEd supervisors who served during the national and local elections.

“60% of more than 685,000 DepEd employees were part of the elections, either as BEI member, support staff or supervisor,” Luistro said.

The Comelec grants the DepEd personnel with poll duties the allowance of P4,500 for the chairman and members of the BEI; P1,500 for BEI support staff; P3,000 for DepEd supervisors and P1,500 for other support staff.

Luistro said that the public school teachers with poll duties can get their honoraria after the elections.

Statement of DepEd on Election Poll Duties of Public School Teachers

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In less than 10 days, the nation will troop to the polls for the 2016 automated national and local elections. 

Once again, public school teachers will render service as members of the Board of Election Inspectors (BEIs), support staff, polling center supervisors and member of the board of canvassers. 

With this, the Department of Education (DepEd) is confident that our public school teachers will rise to the occasion and take on the responsibility--as they have done in the past--to serve the country.

DepEd reminds its teachers to stay neutral and non-partisan. The Department will work closely with local officials and law enforcement agencies to ensure the safety of public school teachers who will render their service during the polls. DepEd has also reactivated its Election Task Force (ETF) to assist those who will serve as BEIs. Also, the Department has partnered with the Public Assistant’s Office (PAO) through a Memorandum of Agreement to provide legal assistance to BEI members should there be election-related suits filed against them.

DepEd believes that our school teachers will give their best for an honest and clean national elections.

59th edition of the Palarong Pambansa ends

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After a grueling week of intense competition, it is finally time to close the curtains on the 59th edition of the Palarong Pambansa 2016 at the Albay-Bicol Sports and Tourism Complex in Legazpi City, Albay.

The event started with the closing parade of all 18 regions followed by a parade of bands and pretty majorettes from various schools and universities in Albay.

Present for the closing ceremony were Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Br. Armin Luistro FSC; DepEd Assistant Secretary for Legal and Legislative Affairs, Tonisito M.C. Umali, Albay Governor Joey Salceda, and Commissioner Jose Luis Gomez, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).

“It is certainly an honor and a source of pride for the people of Albay to be given the opportunity to serve you. That is the heart of our hosting of the Palarong Pambansa 2016. Maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat,” said Albay Governor Joey Salceda.

Once again, the National Capital Region (NCR) dominated the week-long sporting event, leading the medal tally by a huge margin with Region IV-A and Region VI finishing second and third, respectively. Newcomer Negros Island Region (NIR) finished with an impressive sixth place overall standing.

“Gumaganda po ang performances ng mga regions. Dati po bihira lang ang makakuha ng medal ang ibang region, ngayon po dumadami na ang mga medals. Medyo pumapantay na ang laban dito sa Palarong Pambansa, dahil sa mga coaches, sports directors and teachers who take their time to train our athletes,” PSC Commissioner Jose Luis Gomez said.

As for this year’s special awards the winners were: Region X for the Most Organized

Delegation, Region IV-B for the Most Disciplined Delegation, Region X for the Best

Billeting Center, Region VIII for the Delegation with the Most Number of Participants, and Negros Island Region for the Cleanest and Greenest Delegation. All winners will receive P40,000 plus a trophy.

The annual sports festival is not just about achieving personal glory but also a time for gratitude, “Huwag na huwag ninyong kakalimutan kung saan kayo nanggaling. Huwag na huwag ninyong kakalimutan ang inyong unang coach, mentor at unang technical official na tumulong sa inyo. Dahil kung marunong kayong lumingon sa pinanggalingan, malayo ang inyong mararating. Maraming maraming salamat sa mga nagbigay ng kanilang buong sarili sa pinaka-maanghang at pinaka-mainit na Palarong Pambansa,” Secretary Br. Armin Luistro said.

The Palarong Pambansa is the largest grassroots sporting event in the country that aims to develop the potential of the youth to become responsible and globally competitive citizens.

It is DepEd’s way of promoting physical education and sports as an integral part of the Basic Education Curriculum.

DepEd to re-open application for Senior HS Voucher Program

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The Department of Education through the Private Education Assistance Committee (PEAC) will be re-opening the application for the Senior High School (SHS) Voucher Program next week. 

The SHS Voucher Program is intended for completers of Grade 10 who would like to pursue SHS education in private schools, private universities and colleges, local or state universities and colleges offering SHS and technical and vocational institutions offering SHS starting School Year 2016-2017. It provides students with a subsidy that enables them to get a discount on the cost of tuition and other school fees for SHS.

To date, more than 50,000 non-ESC private school grade 10 completers have been awarded vouchers. All public school Grade 10 completers and all private school Grade 10 completers who are Education Service Contracting (ESC) grantees are automatically qualified voucher recipients. These students do not need to apply for vouchers.

The application will be re-opened to enable more Grade 10 completers to have the option to enroll in SHS in private schools, private universities and colleges, local or state universities and colleges or technical vocational institutions in June 2016.

All applications must be done strictly online by accessing PEAC's Online Voucher Application Portal (OVAP) at http://ovap.deped.gov.ph

Applications will be accepted from April 22 to May 6, 2016 only. The deadline is non-extendable. Results will be announced on or before May 20, 2016.

Concerns and queries regarding the ESC and SHS Voucher programs can be directed togastpe@deped.gov.ph or to the DepEd Action Center at (02) 636-1663 or (02) 633-1942.

Nald: A kid with big ambitions

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Nald in action. CAVRAA football team member Ronald Dapena kicks his way through opponents during a game between CAVRAA and Region XII in the 2016 Palarong Pambansa in Albay.

A small town kid with big ambitions, this is what best describes 17-year old Ronaldo “Nald” Dapena who is one of the members of the Cagayan Valley Regional Athletic Association (CAVRAA) football team. He came from San Antonio, Delfin Albano, Isabela, which is considered as one of the poorest barrios in the area. The third of five siblings, Nald’s father works as a farmer while his mother works part-time at a local bakery. 

“Medyo mahirap din po ang buhay namin pero kahit paano po nakakaraos naman po kami sa pang araw-araw at kung may pagkakataon, tumutulong din po ako sa aking ama sa bukid,” says Nald.

Aware of their difficulties in life, Nald often finds solace in playing the sport he fell in love with at a young age, “Ten years old pa lang, naglalaro na ako ng football at madalas akong sumali sa Intramurals sa school. Nakapaglaro na din po ako sa mga Provincial Meets. Doon po ako nadiskubre ng coach po namin ngayon na si Mr. Alexander Tabubuca," says Nald.

With continuous mentoring and guidance, Nald’s game continued to improve and develop along with his team mates. With dedication and team work, they became the champions in CAVRAA Meet where they won P15,000 and were qualified for this year’s Palarong Pambansa. 

Not resting on his laurels, Nald used his P1,000 share of the cash gift to apply for an NC II for Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) at the Technical Skills and Development Authority (TESDA). Asked if he was hesitant to let go of his prized money given their financial situation, “Alam kong para sa gaya namin, malaking pera na ang P1,000, pero wala naman akong panghihinayang sa ginawa ko dahil magagamit ko din iyon para sa aking kinabukasan," he said. By investing his money wisely, he is now a proud holder of an NC II certificate.

Ronaldo “Nald” Dapena

Everything seems to be going well for Nald until a little bump on the road temporarily stopped him in his track. In preparation for the 2016 Palarong Pambansa, all the delegates were required to train in Tuguegarao City, a place far and unfamiliar for Nald and his parents. All his life, he has only competed in his home province. Playing on a much farther venue meant additional expenses for Nald and his family, although the fare is only P50. Just when Nald was about to throw in the towel, coach Tabucaca came to the rescue. 

“Pumunta si coach sa bahay namin at sinabi sa mga magulang ko na siya na ang bahala sa pamasahe ko at titingin sa akin habang nasa malayo ako para hindi na sila mag-alala,” Nald recalls smiling.

Believing in Nald’s potential as a good football player, there was no way Coach Tabubuca would let that go to waste.

“Sayang naman ang talent ng bata kung hindi siya mabibigyan ng opportunity para mahasa sa sport na mahal niya, masipag naman at mabait kaya hindi ako makapapayag na mawala sa kanya ang oportunidad na makasali sa Palarong Pambansa,” said Tabubuca.

When asked if Nald plans to further his football career, “Gusto ko po sanang ipagpatuloy itong football, makuha sa mataas na paaralan, makakuha ng scholarship, at matupad ang aking pangarap na maging propesyonal na football player. Pero tanggap ko din naman po na maaring hindi rin siya mangyari kaya iyon din po ang dahilan kaya kumuha ako ng SMAW. Hindi ko man maabot ang aking pangarap sa buhay at least po secure naman ang aking kinabukasan dahil may NC II na ako na maari kong magamit upang makakuha ng magandang trabaho at makatulong sa aking mga magulang at kapatid,” says Nald.

DepEd Statement on the newly signed Election Service Reform Act

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The Department of Education (DepEd) welcomes the newly signed Election Service Reform Act, which makes election duties voluntary for public school teachers. We always welcome legislations that promote and uphold the rights and safety of our teachers. We are confident that our public school teachers will always be ready to help and serve our countrymen. 

DepEd, Knowledge Channel renew vows to deliver 21st century education

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The Department of Education (DepEd) and the Knowledge Channel Foundation, Inc. (KCFI) renewed its commitment to provide multimedia resources for over five million learners in 6,000 public schools and community learning centers in the country. 

The 10-year partnership allows public schools to have continued access to Knowledge Channel’s Educational Shows and multimedia learning resources, which complement and support the K to 12 curriculum through non-traditional and interactive modes of instruction. 

“Knowledge Channel is one consistent partner for the past 17 years in a country where there is actually no education channel,” Education Secretary Br. Armin A. Luistro FSC said. 

“Given the radical transformation in the education sector, the K to 12, its curriculum and learning pedagogies are major drivers of that change in the Philippines. But globally our learners, teachers, and families are faced with 21st century skills and the technology bubble. Technology and other innovations are tearing down walls, redefining learning spaces and emphasizing the importance of self-directed, constructivist and collaborative learning. Our teachers and our learners need to be out there and at par with the rest of the world and this is what we hope to bring to our schools,”  KCFI President and Executive Director Elvira Lopez-Bautista said.

She said that this partnership is different compared to the previous agreement with DepEd, adding, “It includes the development of videos, games, and interactive lessons on multiple platforms; on air, online and offline.” This is to improve learning outcomes through multimedia learning resources, she said. 

Aside from this, the recently signed pact will also provide a venue for the career development of educators and teachers. Training programs such as Superintendents’ Leadership Program (SLP) and LEEP program are also covered in the agreement. 

(L-R) DepEd Undersecretary for External Partnerships and Linkages Mario A. Deriquito, Education Secretary Br. Armin A. Luistro FSC, Knowledge Channel Foundation, Inc. (KFCI) Chairman Oscar Lopez, and KFCI President and Executive Director Elvira Lopez-Bautista at the DepEd, KFCI signing of the memorandum of understanding that provides support for public school students and teachers in the country last March 31, 2016.

Lopez-Bautista said, “With this signing we hope to have an even closer relationship with DepEd in seeking policy guidance, directions, and cooperation. We ask that DepEd actively use and promote the software and hardware that are in the schools that are accessible to student and teachers as we believe this can improve learning outcomes.”

DepEd Undersecretary for Partnerships and External Linkages Mario A. Deriquito said, “We are happy to celebrate with you the many things that you have done for our public schools: a curriculum based TV channel, training for our teachers, support for the training of our schools division superintendents, the Learning Effectively through Enhance Pedagogies (LEEP) program, and giving awards to outstanding school-based programs and education leaders.”