Christmas break to start on Dec. 19; classes to resume on Jan. 4 — DepED

by Merlina Hernando-Malipot

The Christmas vacation in public schools nationwide will start next week, the Department of Education (DepED) on Friday, Dec. 16, announced.

DepEd / MB Visual Content Group

Citing DepED Order No. 34 s. of 2022 or the “School Calendar and Activities for School Year 2022-2023,” the department announced that the Christmas break in public schools will start on Dec. 19, 2022, until Jan. 3, 2023. 

Likewise, classes are scheduled to resume on Jan. 4, 2023.

The SY 2022-2023 officially started in public schools on Aug. 22. The current SY has 203 school days and will end on July 7, 2023.

For this SY, DepED said that remedial classes for public schools are also scheduled to start on July 17 and will end on Aug. 26, 2023.

DepED asks schools, offices to hold ‘simple yet meaningful’ Christmas parties

by Merlina Hernando-Malipot

The Department of Education (DepED) reminded schools and offices to ensure that Christmas parties will be held in a “simple yet meaningful” manner.

Photo from Unsplash

In DepED Order No. 52 series of 2022 signed by Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte dated Nov. 2, the department issued guidelines for the celebration of Christmas within the DepED. 

DepED urged its community to “strive for a genuine celebration of hope, unity, and service for others” every Christmas season.

Given this, public schools as well as DepED Central and field offices were directed to ensure that celebrations related to Christmas should be “simple yet meaningful.”

This, DepED said, can be done by keeping in mind the “true spirit of the season” and the “austerity called for by the difficult economic times.”

Voluntary, practicable

In its latest issuance, DepED urged all concerned to ensure that all Christmas parties, themes, costumes, decorations, and exchange gifts remain voluntary.

“No learner or DepED personnel should be forced to contribute participate or use their money for the celebration,” the department said.

DepED also stressed that contributions for celebrations in schools or offices, whether in cash or kind, “should be strictly voluntary.”

Likewise, the department added that “no learner shall be excluded from joining the Christmas celebration by reason of their failure to give the voluntary contribution or absence of a prepared of a prepared gift.”

To help ensure that celebrations in schools and offices are “practicable,” DepEd said that “Christmas party themes should not result to expenses that will become a burden on parents, students and DepED personnel.”

Likewise, DepED enjoined schools and offices to use or recycle old Christmas decorations. The purchase of new decor was also discouraged. Furthermore, DepED said that no learner or personnel should be “required to make decors specifically for a party.” 

Christmas parties in schools, DepED added, may also be organized within class hours “so long as it does not interfere with the scheduled lesson plans intended to be taught to the students.”

DepED offices, however, were reminded that the conduct of Christmas get-togethers and other similar year-end activities “should not compromise the provision of departmental services.”

When it comes to gift-giving, DepED said that this should be “guided by the spirit and of sharing and should not lead to extravagant spending.”

DepED personnel were also reminded that solicitations, whether in cash or in-kind, are not allowed for Christmas parties or holiday celebrations.

The provisions of this order, DepED said, cover all that schools and offices in the country.

Schools Division Offices (SDOs) were also allowed to issue additional guidelines based on their local customs and traditions, subject to the issued guidelines.

For private schools, community learning centers, as well as state or local universities and colleges, DepED said that they may “choose to adopt the provisions” of the newly-issued order as a basis in the conduct of their own Christmas parties or celebration.

DepED to kickstart 6th National Climate Change Conference on Nov. 23

by Charie Mae F. Abarca

In partnership with the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) University Library ALIVErary BOOKS program, the Department of Education (DepED) will launch the 6th National Climate Change Conference (NCCC) in November 2022.

The three-day virtual conference will be launched beginning Wednesday, Nov. 23 until Friday, Nov. 25. 

6th National Climate Change Conference (DepED / Facebook)

“Naglalayon ang tatlong araw na komperensiya na paigtingin ang kaalaman at pataasin ang partisipasyon ng mga mag-aaral, academic community, at mga kawani ng DepED ukol sa climate change adaptation and mitigation interventions (The three-day conference aims to intensify the knowledge and increase the participation of students, academic community, and DepED staff on climate change adaptation and mitigation intervention),” said DepED on Tuesday, Nov. 22.

According to DepED, the 6th NCCC’s theme will focus on “Responding to Climate Change: Role of Education towards Climate Change Action.”

Among the topics that will be discussed include the following: Science and impacts of climate action; librarians’ perspective on climate change; climate change disaster risks and response; as well the impacts of climate change on justice and responsibility.

Meanwhile, to further extend its support to Republic Act 9729 or the Climate Change Act of 2009, UPLB, together with DepED Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service (DRRMS) will build “future-proof libraries” as part of its mission to disseminate climate change-related knowledge to Filipinos.

In-person classes remain the ‘best option’ for basic education: DepED

by Merlina Hernando-Malipot, Manila Bulletin

Citing the “undisputable fact” that in-person learning remains the best option for basic education based on studies, the Department of Education (DepED) is all set for the return to full face-to-face in all public schools starting next month.

Face-to-face classes at the Lakan Dula Elementary School in Tondo, Manila (ALI VICOY / MANILA BULLETIN)

Issuing a statement on Monday, Oct. 17, DepED maintained its confidence in the benefits of holding face-to-face classes to “promote academic development and the overall mental health and well-being of our learners.”

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As planned before this year’s school opening, DepED said that all public schools nationwide will implement five days of in-person classes starting Nov. 2, 2022.

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When classes for School Year (SY) 2022-2023 started on Aug. 22, DepED allowed both public and private schools that offer basic education to implement multiple learning delivery modalities which include five days of face-to-face classes, blended learning, and full distance learning.

However, the prescribed modalities will only be implemented until Oct. 31.

While it recognizes the benefits of face-to-face classes in basic education, DepEd on Monday, Oct. 17, issued an Amendatory DepEd Order to DO 34, s. 2022 or the School Calendar and Activities For School Year 2022-2023 which allows private schools to offer blended learning modality and full distance learning options to their students.

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“DepEd is cognizant of the current situation of the private sector due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic — the amount of investment in online learning technologies, the development and institutionalization of best practices on blended learning, and the unfortunate closure of small private schools because of losses,” the agency said.

Following its decision, DepED said that it will leave the discussion on the learning modality to be implemented by private education institutions to the schools, the parents or guardians, and the learners.

Meanwhile, DepED expressed hope that parents or guardians of private school learners “would not miss the abundance of scientific studies available on the advantages of in-person classes over online learning.”

DepED added that it will also “expedite the review” of the blended learning program to ensure that it will “benefit our learners and essentially address learning issues.”

Aside from private schools, DepED said that public schools that “expressly granted exemptions” by the Regional Director concerned and schools with canceled classes because of disasters and calamities may also be allowed to continue the implementation of blended and distance learning.

‘Filipinas’ no more: DepEd adopts the use of ‘Pilipinas’ in schools

JOJO RINOZA / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN

by Merlina Hernando-Malipot, Manila Bulletin

Following the decision Commission on the Filipino Language or Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF), the Department of Education (DepEd) directed public and private schools nationwide to stop using “Filipinas” in the teaching and learning process.

The DepEd Memorandum No. 74, s. 2022 signed by DepEd Undersecretary and Chief of Staff Epimaco Densing III dated Aug. 26 reaffirmed KWF’s decision to revoke Board of Commissioners Resolution No. 13-19.

Issued to bureau directors, directors of regions, superintendents of schools, and heads of public and private schools, the DM No. 74 s. of 2022 was DepEd’s response to the decision of KWF Chairman Arthur Casanova on the matter.

As per KWF’s decision, DepEd directed schools to bring back the use of “Pilipinas” in the teaching and learning process because the official name of the country is “Pilipinas” and not “Filipinas” as stated in the 1987 Constitution.

“Pilipino” should also be used when referring to the people and culture of the Philippines.

Despite this, DepEd said that there is no need to change the spelling — from “Filipinas” to “Pilipinas” — when it comes to printed materials such as books, Self-Learning Modules (SLMs), Weekly Home Learning Plans, Learning Activity Sheets, and other types before the release of the said memorandum.

“Iwasto na lamang ng mga guro at kawani habang ginagamit sa proseso ng pagtuturo (Teachers and personnel simply need to correct it while using it in the teaching process),” DepEd said.

Moreover, DepEd asked schools to use the correct spelling prescribed by KWF in instructional materials and correspondence that will be officially released.

In 2013, National Artist for Literature Virgilio Almario, who was then the chairman of KWF, pushed for the use of “Filipinas” as the international name of the country.

DepEd urges learners to vaccinate vs Covid

By Ruth Palo, Manila Times

DAVAO CITY: The Department of Education (DepEd) here has continued to call on students to get vaccinated to protect themselves against Covid-19 as classes start on August 22.

Based on the data provided by the agency, there were only 284,696 learners in the entire Region 11 who had been inoculated as of July 2022 data.

Out of the 284,696, 45,977 are elementary school pupils, 167,125 are in junior high school, 62,771 senior high students, and 8,823 are enrolled in the Alternative Learning System.

DepEd regional spokesman Jenielito Atillo, during the I-Speak media forum on Thursday, August 11, said that they cannot force the parents and their children to get vaccinated since there is no law mandating them to do so.

Atillo said the department is fully supportive of the government's effort to vaccinate children. However, he said the only problem as far as DepEd is concerned, this is not mandatory.

"There is this constitutional guarantee on the freedom of choice that is why if you can remember in all our engagements we say we encourage all to be vaccinated but of course we cannot force them really to be inoculated for so many reasons," Atillo said.

Religion and health concerns are among the many reasons why parents refused to have their children vaccinated, according to Atillo.

Despite the low turnout of vaccination among learners, the department continues to encourage parents to have their children inoculated.

Atillo, meanwhile, said almost a million students in the Davao Region have already enrolled for the school year 2022-2023.

As of August 11, a total of 951,312 students have already enrolled. The figure is already 68 percent of last year's 1,395,893 enrollees, with over a week left for enrollment.

Out of the more than 950,000 students enrolled, 349,557 are from Davao City.

Atillo, however, said the number is a "far cry" from the number of enrollees in the past two years of the pandemic.

Atillo said that for the first months of the school year, all schools will offer a hybrid modality of learning, and will shift to a full face-to-face learning scheme on November 2.

19.26M enrolled for new school year

He said the return to full face-to-face classes is "going to be a resurrection of the traditional conduct of classes in the country."

Atillo assures us that the department has already prepared contingency plans to respond to any health risks and incidents such as the possibility of another surge of Covid-19 cases.

DepEd: Enrollment for SY 2022-2023 breaches 16M mark

(DepEd file photo)

by Merlina Hernando-Malipot, Manila Bulletin

Over 16 million learners have already enrolled for the incoming school year, the latest data from the Department of Education (DepEd) showed.

Data as of Aug. 5 from the Learner Information System (LIS) for School Year (SY) 2022-2023 showed that there are now 16,029,252 registered students for the incoming school year.

Region IV-A still has the largest number of enrollees with 2,367,246; followed by the National Capital Region with 1,870,470, and Region III with 1,591,722.

Per grade level, Kindergarten has the most number of enrolled learners with 1,060,138 followed by Elementary (Grades 1 to 6) with 7,376, 586.

There are 5,179,673 enrollees in Grades 7 to 10 (Junior High School) and 2,412,855 learners in Grades 11 and 12 (Senior High School).

DepEd opened the enrollment for public schools on July 25. Enrollment will continue until Aug. 22, 2022, which is also the first day of classes as announced by DepEd.

Meanwhile, DepEd continues to encourage parents and guardians to enroll their children as soon as possible.

To ensure the safety of everyone, DepEd schools are implementing various enrollment methods which include in-person, remote, and dropbox enrollment.

For the Alternative Learning System (ALS), DepEd said that learners can now enroll in-person or online.

In a recent press conference, DepEd recognized that the opening of classes “will not be without challenges.”

Despite this, the agency remains optimistic that these challenges would be addressed by working together.

From Aug. 22 to Oct. 31, DepEd said that schools will be allowed to implement blended learning.

However, all schools offering basic education are expected to have transitioned to five days in-person classes starting Nov. 2, 2022.

DepEd issues enrollment guidelines for SY 2022-2023

Drop-box enrollment system implemented by some public schools (ALI VICOY / MANILA BULLETIN)

by Charie Mae F. Abarca, Manila Bulletin

In preparation of the school year (SY) 2022-2023, the Department of Education (DepEd) released a set of guidelines for enrollment in the context of the gradual reintroduction of face-to-face classes and reflective of the current health and safety situation in the Philippines.

Under DepEd order No. 35, the department reintroduced in-person enrollment, highlighting that minimum health and public safety standards must still be observed in schools across the country.

“These enhanced enrollment guidelines shall guide learners, parents, legal guardians, and teachers in enrollment procedures for Kindergarten, Elementary, Junior High School, and Senior High School, including Alternative Learning System (ALS) for SY 2022-2023,” the memo read. DepEd likewise encouraged State and Local Universities, Colleges, and private schools offering basic education to adopt this policy.

Enrollment period will officially start on July 25 and end on Aug. 22, 2022.

After two years of implementing remote enrollment due to the Covid-19 pandemic, DepEd has once again greenlighted the resumption of in-person enrollment, adding that this will help prepare learners, parents, as well as educators in the forthcoming five-day face-to-face classes beginning Nov. 2, 2022.

The in-person option may be done in school where parents can physically process the enrollment. Students, according to DepEd, may likewise enroll themselves as long as their Enhanced Basic Education Enrollment Form (BEEF) are signed by their parent or guardian.

Apart from the in-person enrollment DepEd also introduced additional procedures: remote enrollment and enrollment through dropbox forms.

Remote enrollment means that it will be done via email or any available online platform set by the school. With this procedure, schools were tasked to make the Enhanced BEEF available both in digital and print format.

“Filled up digital copies of the BEEF shall be submitted through the official email address of the school which shall be made available by the school authorities or through available messaging platforms by the school,” said DepEd.

Enrollment using dropboxes, on the other hand, requires the submission of the printed and filled up copy of BEEF in the established dropbox which may be placed in front of the school, Barangay Hall, or any other visible location.

DepEd previously announced that SY 2022-2023 will officially begin on Aug. 22, 2022. With a target of 203 school days, the academic year will end on July 7, 2023. Blended learning, according to DepEd, may only be implemented until Oct. 31, 2022 as all public and private schools nationwide were mandated to implement five-day in-person classes beginning Nov. 2, 2022.

DepEd won't limit class size for in-person learning

MEDIA MAGNET Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio answers questions from the media as she arrives at the chapel of San Beda University in Manila where she attended Mass for the birthday celebration of businessman Manny Pangilinan on Thursday, July 14, 2022.  PHOTO BY RENE H. DILAN

By Kaithreen Cruz, Manila Times

(UPDATE) VICE President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte-Carpio emphasized that the Department of Education (DepEd) will not limit the class size for in-person learning.

"We did not put an exact class size because the situations in schools differ. We indicated in DepEd Order 34, and as approved by the President when presented during the Cabinet Meeting, that physical distancing will be implemented whenever possible," she said in an interview on Thursday.

The Education chief added that the creation of more classrooms is in the pipeline to address overcrowding in schools.

"We are now creating a department order that will streamline requests for classroom construction so that we can prevent adding unimplementable projects and ensure that what we include in the budget request are those that could be immediately constructed," the Vice President said.

She reiterated that Covid-19 vaccination for learners is still not mandatory, and co-mingling of vaccinated and unvaccinated learners will be allowed in the classrooms.

Duterte-Carpio also said that eating protocols in schools were considered since students will not be wearing masks as they eat, emphasizing that eating together will be prohibited. If the space is limited for physical distancing when eating, students should eat facing the same direction and not facing each other.

The Vice President added that the lessons learned during the two years of the pandemic will help implement health protocols of wearing masks, physical distancing and hand washing.

Duterte-Carpio also said studies show that children who have contracted Covid-19 have a high recovery rate and experience usually mild symptoms, with deaths being "extremely rare."

On the other hand, the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) said that the "lack of substantive health measures is a recipe for disaster" for face-to-face classes.

PH Red Cross starts giving 2nd Covid-19 booster shots

"They removed any requisite for inspection or even a mere checklist of requirements for safe school reopening. There is no standard for classroom ventilation aside from opening the doors and windows. There is no requisite for hand-washing facilities or a steady water supply. The need for a clinic or a nurse is not even mentioned," ACT President Vladimer Quetua said.

ACT suggested six key points for the DepEd to consider in the guidelines for face-to-face classes: double the schools' maintenance and operating budget to ensure implementation of health protocols; employ additional teachers to reduce class size to a maximum of 35 students; employ more nurses and utility personnel for every school; ensure health protection and benefits of teachers and school employees; provide financial aid for families struggling amid the economic crisis; and conduct a learning assessment to gauge adjustments for education recovery.

In a related development, Iloilo First District Representative and former Department of Health secretary Janette Garin urged more individuals to take booster shots since two doses were no longer sufficient. Boosters are also needed because a large percentage of the population must be vaccinated in order to achieve a "society without masks."

She outlined the four primary functions of vaccination, which are to prevent deaths, lower the impact of infectious symptoms, decrease transmission and limit mutation.

LGUs, Schools urged: Get ready for booster rollout

The National Vaccination Operations Center (NVOC) reported that as of July 13, 2022, there were 71 million fully vaccinated Filipinos, of whom 15.3 million had their first booster shot and just roughly 950,000 had received their second.

Garin said these facts, along with the rising number of Covid-19 instances, place the nation in a less-than-ideal situation to combat the virus and build economic resilience.

She recommended that the government and health sector redefine a fully immunized person as someone who has received two doses of vaccine plus one or two booster shots, set aside funds for second-generation Covid vaccines, and prepare health care facilities and have antivirals on hand.

Covid-19 fatal to 3 unvaxed Davaeños

Be that as it may, an infectious disease specialist urged Filipinos not to panic amid reports of newer and more infectious sub-variants of Covid-19, such as the Omicron BA.5 sub-variant.

In a briefing on Thursday, Dr. Edsel Maurice Salvaña, also a member of the Department of Health's Technical Advisory Group, said that while the number of cases have increased, the number of severe and critical infections continue to remain stable.

He added that the Delta variant remains as the "most deadly" strain of the virus as it crippled the health care system when a surge of cases happened last year and led to many deaths.

"The worst variant is really Delta. Right now, BA.5 cases are trickling in but we know what to do to prevent infection. From that perspective in terms of death and severe disease, Omicron is far from severity as compared to Delta," Salvaña said.

While BA.5 is more immune evasive than other variants, those who are infected with it only get asymptomatic or mild disease and it will not inflict as much "destruction" as the Delta variant.

Salvaña said that while the "worst is over" for the virus, its continued evolution will remain a threat, especially if the public becomes complacent in following health protocols and not getting their booster shots.

However, he stressed that the general public should wait for the rollout of the reformulated bivalent vaccines as possible second booster shots, possibly by September or October of this year.

Sen. Maria Lourdes "Nancy" Binay also raised the need to convene the Committee of the Whole once the 19th Congress opens to discuss pending concerns on Covid-19.

She noted that calls to require Filipinos to get booster shots have surfaced amid the reported rise in Covid-19 cases, with the country recording an average of 1,467 cases daily from July 4 to 10.

She said the Senate should tackle pending issues regarding Covid-19 like vaccination programs, access to boosters, status of our health care workers, health and pandemic statistics, level of preparedness, and exit plans."

Binay on Thursday voiced support for the government's booster drive, especially in the face of pandemic fatigue and vaccine complacency.

"Everyone's experiencing pandemic fatigue and vaccine complacency. People have become less vigilant," she said in a statement.

She also raised the need to continue revisiting and reviewing the country's public health policies to ensure these are up-to-date and in line with international standards.

AS CONCURRENT DEPED CHIEF VP to produce learners who can achieve their full potential

 

Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio (left) receives the Department of Education official seal as well as a copy of the Basic Education Development Plan 2030 from outgoing Secretary Leonor Briones during the joint farewell and welcoming event at the DepEd headquarters in Pasig City on Monday, July 4, 2022. FACEBOOK PHOTO/VP INDAY SARA DUTERTE

By Kaithreen Cruz, Manila Times

VICE President and concurrent Education Secretary Sara Duterte-Carpio vowed to produce learners who can achieve their full potential when she received the DepEd flag and official seal, as well as a copy of the Basic Education Development Plan (BEDP) 2030 from former Secretary Leonor Briones on July 4 at the DepEd headquarters in Pasig City.

BEDP 2030 is the country's first long-term plan for the education sector, covering formal education from kindergarten, elementary, junior high school to senior high school, as well as non-formal education through the Alternative Learning System (ALS).

Briones said she turned over to Duterte-Carpio a department that had persevered amid the Covid-19 pandemic and developed great initiatives for the Filipino learners.

She highlighted the education gains during her six-year term including the Sulong EduKalidad campaign to improve the quality of education, empowerment of the regions through its regional directors, participation in international assessments such as the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA), transformation of the National Educators Academy of the Philippines (NEAP) to capacitate teachers, and salary adjustment and provision of benefits and allowances to teachers, among others.

She also recognized the collective effort of DepEd employees to provide support to learners and teachers.

Briones agreed to stay with DepEd as a consultant after her term in the department.

In her message, Duterte-Carpio said she will take inspiration from Briones — from her courage, dedication, commitment, integrity, selflessness and grace.

"But I will also take on the task with the reminder that we shall continue to find ways to improve basic education in terms of access, equity, resiliency, and governance," Duterte-Carpio said.

Education stakeholders hope for a bright future

"Secretary [Briones] is a force. And I am humbled and honored to follow in the footsteps of a much-admired academic, public servant, social activist and change-maker. I would also like to acknowledge the equally devoted men and women, our undersecretaries and assistant secretaries who supported Ma'am Liling in the last six years. Daghang salamat kaninyo (Thank you very much to all of you)," she said.

Duterte-Carpio said she aims to produce learners who can achieve their full potential as individuals who are responsible, skilled, knowledgeable, productive and determined to achieve their dreams for themselves and for the country.

DepEd gave tribute to Briones and outgoing Undersecretaries Nepomuceno Malaluan, Diosdado San Antonio and Josephine Maribojoc for their service to the department.

Briones also joined the choir during the video presentation and singing of "When You Believe" by Stephen Schwartz for Duterte-Carpio.

Briones turns over DepEd to VP Sara

In a recent Facebook post, the new DepEd chief said she praised and thanked Briones for her untiring service for six years in the department, making sure education for the youth continued despite the challenges of Covid-19. She is likewise happy that her predecessor agreed to continue as consultant in the Education department.

Gatchalian backs full face-to-face classes

By Javier Joe Ismael, Manila Times

SEN. Sherwin Gatchalian on Thursday expressed his support for the full resumption of face-to-face classes next academic school year, saying that such a move will boost the recovery of the basic education sector from the pandemic.

While the full resumption of in-person learning is a first step, Gatchalian cited the need to implement a massive learning recovery program.

The National Economic and Development Authority estimated that two years without face-to-face learning will result in P22-trillion productivity losses.

Gatchalian's proposed learning recovery program includes well-systematized tutorial sessions for struggling learners.

He said that the program will cover the most essential learning competencies under Language and Mathematics for Grades 1 to 10 and Science for Grades 3 to 10.

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Literacy and numeracy competencies will be given focus for Kindergarten learners to build on their foundational competencies, he added.

The Department of Education said that as of May 26, 34,238 schools were nominated to conduct face-to-face classes, 1,174 of which are private schools. Over 33,000 or 73.28 percent of public schools are already holding in-person classes.

"Matapos ang halos dalawang taon ng pagtugon natin sa mga hamon ng pandemya, napapanahon nang buksan natin ang lahat ng mga paaralan upang makabalik na ang mga mag-aaral. Habang patuloy ang pagbangon ng iba't ibang sektor, dapat nating tiyaking hindi mapag-iiwanan ang sektor ng edukasyon (After almost two years responding to the challenges of the pandemic, it's now time for us to open all our schools for all the learners. While the different sectors continue to rise, we should ensure that the education sector will not be left behind)," said Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, Arts and Culture.

Gatchalian vowed to pursue legislation to improve the quality of education and accelerate the sector's recovery from the pandemic's impact.

DepEd urged to participate in vaccination of children

Congress recently ratified the bicameral conference committee report on the creation of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EdCom 2), a measure that Gatchalian sponsored.

P977.48 M allotted for progressive expansion of face-to-face classes — DepEd

by Merlina Hernando-Malipot, Manila Bulletin

The Department of Education (DepEd) has approved the allocation of funding to help ensure that participating schools in the progressive expansion of face-to-face classes would be able to respond to emerging needs.

During the Laging Handa briefing on Wednesday, March 2, Education Secretary Leonor Briones said that DepEd will be spending close to P1 billion to “strengthen the progressive expansion for the schools.”

In the same briefing, DepEd Undersecretary for Finance Annalyn Sevilla said that DepEd has already met with the concerned regional directors to discuss the funds that might be needed in preparation for the implementation of progressive face-to-face classes in their respective areas.

 

“Marami po sa mga pondo na atin pong pinaghahandaan ay iyong pong physical arrangements ng eskuwelahan – iyon pong protection and safety ng mga learners at mga guro at siyempre po iyong mga learning resources na kailangan natin. (Part of the funds we are preparing is for the physical arrangements of the school to ensure the protection and safety of learners and teachers and of course, for the learning resources that we need),” Sevilla said.

Based on the data obtained by Manila Bulletin provided by Sevilla, a total of P977,477,000 was allotted for participating schools under the school Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE).

Of this amount, P531.36 million will be allocated to elementary schools (Kinder to Grade 6); P303.63 million will be given to Junior High School (Grade 7 to Grade 10); and P142.49 million for Senior High School (Grade 11 to Grade 12).

DepEd said that these amounts are to be downloaded or to be released to the Regional Offices.

“The Regional Directors are authorized to allocate the said amounts among schools considering the implementation status of face-to-face classes in their respective regions,” DepEd said.

DepEd noted 4.24 percent or P41.48 million of the total available funds “shall be retained in the Central Office as a contingency fund.”

Meanwhile, DepEd clarified that the use of the said funds shall also be subject to existing budgeting, accounting, auditing, and procurement rules and regulations.

Thus, in “no case shall these funds be used” for procurement of tangible items beyond the capitalization threshold; hiring of contractual or casual employees, whose salaries and other compensation benefits should be charged against Personnel Services allocations; and payment of other Capital Outlay items such as infrastructure projects.

DepEd said that its Budget Division is preparing the Sub-Allotment Release Order (AROs) to be downloaded to the respective Regional Offices. The target date of downloading to Regions is on March 4.

DepEd eyes expansion of face-to-face classes in February for vaxxed personnel, students

by Merlina Hernando-Malipot, Manila Bulletin

The expansion phase of limited face-to-face classes eyed to start in the first week of February will only include vaccinated participants, the Department of Education (DepEd) said.

During President Duterte’s Talk to the People aired on Monday, Jan. 17, Education Secretary Leonor Briones gave updates on the pilot run of limited face-to-face classes and its possible expansion by next month.

Briones reported to the President that the pilot run of face-to-face classes held from Nov. 15 to Dec. 22 had been “highly successful” given the “high level of attendance” among students.

A total of 287 schools and 15,000 learners participated in the pilot run. Briones said that there were “no confirmed” coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases among the participants during the pilot implementation.

Given the positive outcome of the pilot run, Briones said that the DepEd is recommending the “progressive expansion” of face-to-face classes in areas under Alert Levels 1 and 2.

“Expansion will commence not earlier than the first week of February,” Briones said.

During the expansion phase, the DepEd is recommending that only vaccinated teachers and non-teaching personnel be allowed to participate.

Briones added that the “participation of vaccinated students shall be preferred.”

She noted that the framework of shared responsibility that includes the concurrence of local government units (LGUs) and parents’ consent “will remain a requirement.”

However, Briones clarified that those schools under Alert Level 3 areas — such as the National Capital Region (NCR) and Region IV-A — will not be included in the expansion phase due to the surge in COVID-19 cases in these places.

DDO turns over 111,897 kindergarten modules to DepEd Davao de Oro Division

Davao de Oro Province--- A total of 111, 897 number of books/modules for kindergarten pupils where officially turned over to the Department of Education Division of Davao de Oro today (January 11).

Amounting to P1,746,595.20 from the Local School Board - Special Education Fund of the province.

15, 778 kindergarten pupils were the target beneficiaries of the said modules covering the entire province.

This is a support program and initiative of the Davao de Oro Governor Jayvee Tyron Uy for the distance learning program of DepEd.

 The ceremonial turnover was held at the lobby of the DepEd building, Capitol Complex, Cabidianan, Nabunturan, Davao de Oro.

 

Attending the ceremonial turnover were District - II Board member Vevincia Secuya representing Governor Uy with the presence of the Bayanihan Para sa Karunungan Program (BPSK) personnel and staff from the Information Divison of the provincial capitol.

 

The modules were officially received by Schools Division Superintendent Eufemia T. Gamutin with Dr. Ruben Reponte Schools Governance Operation Division (SGOD) Chief with the Education Program Supervisors and other DepEd officials and employees.

 

According to Secuya "we will prioritize the kindergarten for the said modules as they don't have enough budget from DepEd."

 

Meanwhile, Gamutin expressed her gratitude to Governor Uy and the provincial officials for the continued support in terms of DepEd learning programs.

(Rey Antibo, ID Davao de Oro)

Davao de Oro Allots 7 Million Pesos to Support Schools on “Blended Learning”

NABUNTURAN, DAVAO DE ORO

 – The Provincial Local Schools Board (PLSB) of Davao de Oro led by Governor Jayvee Tyron Uy, allotted a total amount of ₱7,044,441.12 from its Special Education Fund (SEF) to the Department of Education-Davao de Oro (DepEd-DdO) to be used on its coming shift to the “blended learning” approach. This is in accordance with the directive from President Duterte that no face to face interactions shall take place on the opening of classes on August 24, 2020. 

The aforementioned amount will be used to buy essential tools for public schools such as external drives, WiFi modems, video cameras, transistor radios, learning materials, and workbooks for school levels kindergarten to senior high school.

The Schools Division of Davao de Oro through Dr. Eufemia Gamutin, its superintendent and concurrent Vice Chair of the PLSB, proposed these items to the school board. 

In a recent meeting with the eleven municipal mayors of Davao de Oro, Governor Tyron Uy encouraged everyone to support DepEd’s shift to blended learning. The province’s eleven mayors enthusiastically supported him in response. 

The governor further encouraged individuals and groups to join Brigada Eskwela. In his message, he quipped that this year’s opening of classes fall under extra-ordinary times, and that helping our schools brave through this crisis is of utmost importance. 

“We are all duty-bound to support our students. As they always say, it takes a village to educate a child. Let us be that village”. 

Earlier, the governor signed a partnership agreement with the Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), to install free WiFi stations in the province’s schools. The provincial government’s official radio station will also be allotting an hour from Mondays to Fridays. Through Vice Governor Maricar Zamora’s initiative, Z Radio will also be allotting four hours a day to help DepEd’s alternative modes of instruction.