Welcome message from author
This document is posted to help you gain knowledge. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think about it! Share it to your friends and learn new things together.
Transcript
By Maribel CabasalJuly 1-31 2010:
DepEd Celebrates Nutrition Month
The Department of Education joins the nation in the observance of Nutrition Month this July. Pegged on the theme, “Healthy Lifestyle ng Kabataan, Landas sa Kinabukasan,” the celebration focuses on the nutrition and health needs of Filipino adolescents and children. Its particular focus is on the consumption of nutritious food to prepare them for adulthood and instill in them the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.
School Health and Nutrition Center (SHNC) Director Thelma Santos says it is necessary to provide the adolescents and children with additional nutrients for fast growth and development during this period.
“The school canteens should serve nutritious and affordable meals to students because this will give them a better chance to grow into healthy and productive adults,” Santos emphasized.
To support the developmental endeavor of the National Nutrition Council, the Department of Education integrates nutrition and reproductive health lessons in science and technology and livelihood education (TLE) subjects in schools.
Fora and conferences on nutrition are conducted in schools to increase awareness of students on the subject and to clarify their misconceptions about nutrition and healthy lifestyles.
A report from the World Health Organization (WHO) has revealed that the prevalence and rising incidence of non-communicable diseases (NCD) during adulthood result from unhealthy nutrition and lifestyle practices during pre-adolescence and adolescence.
“According to the study, poor meal preparation, skipping meals, preference for fast food and street food, and engaging in fad diets are factors that contribute to nutrient deficiencies among adolescents and children.”
Director Santos noted that poor nutrition among adolescents can lead to slow growth and development, poor school performance, sluggishness, micronutrient deficiencies particularly anemia, and other diseases in adulthood.
By Maribel Cabasal
National Career Assessment Exam set on August 28
The National Career Assessment Examination (NCAE) shall be administered to fourth year high school students nationwide on August 28, the Department of Education announced.
Education Secretary Jesli Lapus said NCAE will be given to fourth year high school students in public and private schools but stressed that “only private secondary schools with permit from the Department shall be included in the administration of the test.”
The education chief required all fourth year high school learners from both public and private secondary institutions to take the NCAE. “In case of absences due to sickness or any force majeure, students should signify their intention to take the special test through a letter noted by their parents to be submitted to the School Division Office and National Education Testing and Research Center (NETRC) which shall schedule a test,” Lapus said.
The test seeks to enable students and parents to better assess career options based on the student’s skills and inclinations towards various fields of interest. This will also determine not only the students’ academic aptitude, but also their technical and vocational capabilities, as well as entrepreneurial skills.
Components of the NCAE include scientific ability, mathematical ability, reading comprehension, verbal ability, manipulative skills, clerical ability, non-verbal ability and entrepreneurial skills.
The NETRC will conduct the test with the assistance of the public and private secondary school officials all over the country.
To ensure smooth administration of the NCAE, the Department shall hold a national orientation on guidelines in the conduct of the examination.
By Cherry Morada
SHNC Intensifies Medical, Dental Services in Public Schools
The School Health and Nutrition Center (SHNC) has strengthened the provision of medical and dental care to public school students, teachers and non-teaching personnel through the conduct of an Expanded Universal Medical and Dental Check-up (UMDC) starting this month up to March 2008.
According to Health and Nutrition Center Director Thelma Santos, the UMDC is pursuant to Executive Order No. 595 known as the Health Education Reform Order (HERO) of 2006, which shall be undertaken by school health and nutrition personnel and volunteer private or public health professionals affiliated with medical and dental organizations to all DepEd supervised preschools and public elementary and secondary schools all over the country.
Now on its third year of implementation, the UMDC aims to establish data on the health and nutritional status of schoolchildren as bases in instituting immediate health interventions to identified children-at-risk. It also seeks to empower school heads to develop the schools as health promoter by integrating health and nutrition program in the School Improvement Plan (SIP) under the School-Based Management (SBM).
To sustain national awareness on this health maintenance drive, a series of medical and dental missions as well as intensive school health and nutrition education shall be conducted on a monthly basis. The schedules of UMDC and interventions per grade and year level are: pre-schoolers and grade 1 – July, grade 2 – August, grade 3 – October, grade 4 – November, grade 6 – December, first year – January 2008, second year – February, third and fourth year – March.
DepEd urged the regional directors to provide full administrative and financial support to the program. School heads were instructed to collaborate with school health personnel to identify children-at-risk in order to institute appropriate and immediate health interventions.
UDMC is implemented in partnership with Adopt-A-School Secretariat (ASP), Philippine College of Physicians (PCP), Philippine Medical Association (PMA), Philippine Dental Association (PDA), Philippine Pediatric Society (PPS), Philippine Association of Ophthalmologists (PAO), and other health specialty associations.
By Cherry Morada
Champions of Decentralization Laud Leadership Workshop
To pave the way for the full implementation of decentralized management, a cross- section of DepEd personnel drafted an integrated decentralization plan during the workshop on Engaging Shared Leadership at all Levels Towards Decentralization of Basic Education Management. It was held at the SEAMEO 1NNOTECH from May 28 to June 1, 2007. Drawing on distinct experiences in educational and school management, the five-day workshop was a dynamic interchange of ideas among the 52 participants from the regional, division, district, and school levels of MIMAROPA, Negros Oriental, and Caraga, as well as the Central Office. The participants agreed that decentralization,
specifically through shared leadership, is one of the key tools in tackling the many ills that have plagued Philippine education management for decades now. Sessions on personal effectiveness and leading learning communities were incorporated in the workshop as competencies needed to successfully carry out the integrated decentralization plan. Group activities on building community partnerships prepared the participants to engage other stakeholders in collaborative action. Some insights
The participants easily warmed to the idea of the workshop, which was designed to help DepEd personnel deal better with the changes brought about by decentralization. Carolina Rivera, Supervising Education Programs Specialist of DepEd’s Instructional Materials Council Secretariat, admired her fellow participants’ openness to the concept of shared leadership in the context of decentralization. “The course is excellent for so- called traditional managers who may benefit from a reorientation on how to facilitate change,” she said. “However, espousing shared leadership would only be effective in the lower levels if the upper managers are supportive of it, hence the importance of the workshop to the personnel, both middle and upper managers, in the central office.” The participants also strongly recommended the course to their colleagues at all levels of DepEd. “I had an enriching learning experience in the workshop. I gained substantial knowledge that my colleagues in DepEd would greatly benefit from,” said Bienvenido Villagracia of the National Educational Testing and Research Center of the DepEd. “I am now fully a champion of decentralization because of the encouragement I received from the sessions,” noted Mariflor Musa, officer-in-charge, Alternative Learning System Division, of DepEd Region IV-B (MIMAROPA). It was critical that the workshop clarified the new roles and relationships between each of the DepEd levels in the decentralized setup. “There are people in the DepEd who do not have a good grasp of decentralization. Change is hard, but the workshop provided u frameworks on how to function in a changing environment and effectively manage a decentralized setup such that we maximize the opportunities it affords,” Ms. Musa added.
Dr. Thelma Navarrez of the DepEd Health and Nutrition Center put in a good word for the resource persons of the workshop. “They were very knowledgeable and effectively facilitated the free flow of thoughts. The theories were even simplified to make them more relevant to the realities in the field,” she said. Assistant Regional Director Dr. Isabelita Borres of Caraga Region found the coherent content of the course to be encouraging to the participants to learn from each other as they shared perspectives and issues in decentralization. Champions of Decentralization
At the end of the workshop, SEAMEO INNOTECH Director Dr. Erlinda Pefianco encouraged the group to serve as champions of decentralization. “The message is simply
to tell everybody about the great potentials of decentralization,” she expressed during the transition ceremonies. “When I go back to my work station I would impart what I learned in this course to my colleagues,” said Ms. Rivera of the DepEd Central Office. “For sure I’m going to recommend the course to every decision-maker in the DepEd,” echoed Dr. Navarrez.
Three more batches of participants are slated to join the workshop on June 18-22, June 25-29, and July 2-6. A DepEd undertaking
The workshop is part of the Decentralized Management Development Program (DMDP) package being financed by the Secondary Development and Improvement Project (SEDIP) in partnership with the SEAMEO Innotech. A capacity building program that aims to support the various decentralization efforts of DepEd, DMDP is identified as one of the strategies to implement decentralization. It is a six-month program expected to address “people issues” and seeks to create a climate where people involved and affected by the decentralization efforts not only passively agree to the desired change but also commit to and make change happen. The first six months shall be identified as the phase 1 of the DMDP, to cover 9 regions and 15 divisions, tagged as the batch 1 participants. Finally, the DMDP phase 1 is being envisioned to serve as the groundwork for the department wide decentralization capacity building program to run for three years. This is in support of the DepEd Rationalization Plan which was crafted in consonance with RA 9155.
SEAMEO-INNOTECH
DepEd Celebrates National Disaster Consciousness Month
The Department of Education enjoins all its offices, private and public schools and attached agencies to undertake relevant activities to mark the significance of the National Consciousness Month this July.
With the theme “Safe Ka Ba? Programa Laban sa Kalamidad Tungo sa Pag-unlad,” the department activities shall be focused on disaster risk reduction education to ensure heightened awareness and consciousness among its public school students and personnel on what to do before, during and after the occurrence of manmade or natural hazards.
Education Secretary Jesli Lapus ordered schools and all DepEd offices to hang streamers based on the theme; discuss lessons on Disaster Risk Reduction during flag raising ceremony; devote time for the discussion of disaster preparedness, mitigation, prevention and control in class; advocate disaster risk reduction as a way of life at home
and in the community; symposium on Disaster Risk Reduction; and conduct of essay writing and slogan contests on disaster preparedness.
The DepEd central office, in cooperation with the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC), the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and My Shelter Foundation will launch “Build Better, Be Better” program. This program envisions to make schoolbuildings safe, conducive for learning, and come up with technological solutions to improve quality and standards of how structures are built.
The department shall also conduct a three-day youth forum on the Wakayama Youth Declaration on Disaster Risk Reduction Education. To highlight the month-long activity, the department will conduct the Second Quarter National Earthquake Drill on July 27 at 9 a.m. The ceremonial pressing of the button shall be done in an industrial plant in region 4-A.
Executive Order No. 137 dated August 10, 1999 declares the month of July of every year as the National Disaster Consciousness Month.
By Maribel Cabasal
DepEd Conducts Rehabilitation Program in Disaster Affected Areas
The Department of Education, through its School Health and Nutrition Center (SHNC) has provided rehabilitation services in disaster affected areas in Bicol region during the first semester of this year.
Health and Nutrition Center Director Thelma Santos said the rehabilitation program seeks to implement appropriate psychological interventions for teaching and non-teaching staff of the department affected by disaster; provides necessary follow-up treatment to those severely affected; and train core of mentors and personnel on techniques of debriefing and psychological processing for schoolchildren. A Psycho-social Intervention (PSI) and Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD) were conducted to a total of 9,893 teachers and non-teaching personnel in the divisions of Albay, Sorsogon, Sorsogon City, Catanduanes, Tabaco City, Ligao City, Legaspi, Camarines Sur and Legaspi City.
Santos said health services were also undertaken to 13,547 schoolchildren by school health personnel at evacuation centers in Albay, Ligao, Tabaco City and Legaspi City.
Among the leading ailments found among pupils in the evacuation centers are dental caries, pediculosis, colds and cough, pale conjunctiva, tinea flava, enlarged gland, impacted cerumen, primary complex, distended abdomen and minor injuries.
Some 354,380 pupils were examined in the schools in Albay, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Sorsogon, Legaspi City, Ligao City and Tabaco City.
Santos reported that school feeding was given to 187 public elementary schools that benefited 23,990 pupils in the Bicol region.
Meanwhile, the DepEd central office provided milk, noodles, sardines, sugar and rice for emergency feeding in disaster-affected schools.
By Cherry Morada
PPSTA Sets National Search for Outstanding Teachers, School Heads
The Philippine Public School Teachers Association (PPSTA) has set the National Search for Outstanding Teachers, School Heads and PPSTA Division Chapters this year.
The search aims to recognize the exemplary and outstanding performance and accomplishments of teachers and school heads in the elementary and secondary schools who are active members of the PPSTA. Likewise, the search recognizes the PPSTA division chapters' valuable contributions in the promotion and upliftment of teachers' welfare in the country.
Any member of the PPSTA may nominate an active PPSTA member for the awards. Previous national winners of similar search aponsored by other organizations and those given recognition of PPSTA are disqualified. The screening, evaluation and selection of winners shall be done in three phrases. Submission of nominees starts in July and awarding of winners will be on April 19, 2008.
For more information, Francisco Josef, PPSTA conservator may be reached at (02)711-4463 and 0918-5448046.
By Maribel Cabasal
Public Schools to Implement "Gulayan sa Paaralan" Project
Education Secretary Jesli Lapus has directed public elementary and secondary schools all over the country to implement the “Gulayan sa Paaralan” project in support of the government’s hunger mitigation and poverty alleviation efforts.
In a department memorandum issued recently, the education chief said that hunger and malnutrition are two problems that affect 19 percent or 3,268,000 families out of the 17,400,000 households in the country. “Children of poor parents fail to complete their
education because hunger and malnutrition force them to drop out from school to help their parents earn a living,” Secretary Lapus said.
A school-community food production project, the “Gulayan sa Paaralan” is a tie- up with the “Programang Agrikultura Para sa Masa” of the Department of Agriculture (DA), which will be implemented at the national, regional, division, provincial and city levels. This initiative seeks to raise public consciousness on the health and nutritional dimension as well as economic benefits of establishing school, household and community gardens. The school gardens shall serve as food basket or main source of commodities to sustain supplementary feeding. Lapus emphasized that “Gulayan sa Paaralan” project will be implemented in public elementary and high schools with ample or limited areas, in rural or urban setting using organic gardening technologies, like Bio-Intensive Gardening, Food Always in the Home (FAITH), and others.
“Production of selected varieties of vegetables shall be intensified in schools and communities to address deficiencies in protein (legumes), energy (root crops), vitamins and iron (malunggay, saluyot, gabi leaves, kangkong, kulitis, alugbati, peachay),” the DepEd chief said.
The secretary also directed the school heads of private schools, tech-voc schools, science and math schools and other capable special institutions including Parent Teacher Community Association (PTCA) and Student Government Organizations (SSGO) to spearhead the implementation of poverty and hunger alleviation programs to depressed families and communities, as well as to link with the agricultural extension offices of local government units at the municipal, city and provincial levels.
By Cherry Morada
Textbook Procurement Process Stringent - DepEd
The Department of Education reiterated that the procurement of English textbooks for public schools passed through stringent process and complied with the procurement guidelines under the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD).
In a briefing on the latest textbook procurement of English at the department’s conference room, Director Aida Carpintero of Procurement Service said that DepEd conducted the International Competitive Bidding (ICB) open to all bidders from eligible countries of the financing institutions, such as the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank.
On the content evaluation of the textbook procurement, Director Socorro Pilor of the Instructional Materials Council Secretariat (IMCS) pointed out that since 2005, DepEd has implemented a four-level content evaluation process. Level 1 focuses on determining the completeness and sufficiency of development of the learning competencies. The Level 1 evaluators are subject-area specialists, supervisors, and curriculum specialists.
Level 2 focuses on accuracy and up-to-dateness of contents and the reviewers are university-based academicians. Level 3 focuses on determining the appropriateness of the materials to society, to target users and to culture. The reviewers are master teachers and practitioners. Level 4 focuses on the language used to ensure that these are grammatically correct and appropriate to the level of the users. They also look at the book design.
Pilor said Ateneo de Manila University reviews the manuscripts for elementary English textbooks while the University of the Philippines reviews the high school manuscripts. The evaluation process takes more than two months from levels one to four.
She pointed out that civil society groups are involved as observers in the process from content evaluation, procurement up to the actual delivery of books.
The department emphasized that the allegedly error-ridden books were procured in 1999, 2000 and 2002.
“With the adoption of International Competitive Bidding, the prices of books have lowered significantly from an average of P90 per copy in 1997 and 1998 to P45 each copy.”
By Cherry Morada
DepEd Sets Hiring Guidelines for School Principals
The Department of Education has revised the guidelines in the selection, promotion and designation of school principals in public elementary and secondary schools nationwide.
Secretary Jesli Lapus said that DepEd Order No. 85 in 2003 was amended by Order No. 42 s. 2007.
“Under the revised guidelines, the school heads are responsible for the administrative and instructional supervision of the school or cluster of schools,” the chief said.
This, he said, would require them to have at least five years experience in the aggregate as head teacher, teacher-in-charge, master teacher and teacher III.
The prospective school heads must possess the following: educational leadership which is the ability to craft and pursue a shared school vision and mission, as well as develop and implement curriculum policies, programs and projects; people leadership which is the ability to work and develop effective relationships with stakeholders and exert a positive influence upon people; and strategic leadership which is the ability to explore complex issues from a global perspective, manage an educational enterprise and maximize the use of resources.
The Education chief stressed that principal positions shall be open to all qualified candidates from within and outside the division where the vacancies exist.
The appointment of a school principal, he explained, is non-station specific.
In the ranking for principal positions, the computation of points shall be done on the following criteria: performance rating - 30; experience-10; outstanding accomplishments – 30; education and training – 20; potential – 5; and psychosocial attributes and personality traits – 5.
The division superintendent shall designate teachers-in-charge (TICSs) in schools without principal items. The prospective TIC should posses at least three years teaching experience and undergo a screening process conducted by the division office.
Assignment of head teachers shall be one per subject area with priority on the core subject areas like English, math, science, filipino and araling panlipunan.
By Maribel Cabasal
BEE to Train Pre-school Tutors, Daycare Workers
The Department of Education, through the Bureau of Elementary Education (BEE) is set to conduct an inaugural training for Parent Teacher Community Association (PTA) and Local Government Unit (LGU)-organized preschool teachers and daycare workers all over the country. The trainings are slated in September of this year in the cities of Baguio, Tagaytay, Tagbilaran, Ormoc, Davao and Cagayan de Oro. This initiative is in support of the Education for All (EFA) goals of 2010 and the department’s thrust to provide wider access to basic education and to raise skills and capability of preschool mentors and daycare workers.
BEE said the program specifically aims to equip preschool teachers on Early Childhood Education (ECE) curriculum and standards for five-year old children as well as the methods and strategies in preschool education. It seeks to introduce proper and maximum utilization of educational materials. Participants of the training include regional elementary education division chiefs, preschool coordinators, teachers under PTCA and LGU-organized preschool program and selected daycare workers.
By Cherry Morada
Nutrition Month
The Department of Education joins the nation in the observance of Nutrition Month this July.
The celebration focuses on the nutrition and health needs of Filipino adolescents and children particularly on the consumption of nutritious food to prepare them for adulthood and instill in them the benefits of practicing a healthy lifestyle.
The department recently released Memorandum No. 293, “Gulayan sa Paaralan” project, to establish school gardens to sustain supplementary feeding in public schools.
In Order No.8 of 2007, the department rationalized the operation and management of canteens in public schools. It specified that only nutrient-rich foods such as root crops, noodles, rice and corn products in native preparation, fruits and vegetables in season, and fortified food products shall be sold in the school canteen. Beverages shall include milk, shakes and juices prepared from fruits and vegetables in season.
In Memorandum No. 156 s. 2006, the DepED promoted the consumption of sweetened banana chips as snacks in school canteens.
But that is not enough! Food safety standards and hygienic practices must be strictly enforced in schools all the time. Vendors must not be allowed to bring in food items inside the school canteen or, even sell near the school premises. Our school heads must stop the vendors and coordinate with the local municipal heads on this matter. After all, nutrition is not only about eating the right food but also eating from hygienic food sources.
Leadership Training for Student Gov’t. Officers Set
A National Leadership Training for Student Government Officers is set by the Center for Students and Co-Curricular Affairs (CSCA), in cooperation with the Masters Lighthouse Foundation and the Council of Organizations of the Ateneo-Ateneo Student Trainers (COA-STRAINS), at the Teachers Camp, Baguio City on September 1 to 6.
With the theme, “Student-Leaders: Growing Up Through the Levels of Leadership,” the training aims to enhance the management and leadership skills of Supreme Student Government (SSG) officers by exposing them to various leadership concepts and models and help them understand the complexities of leading and managing the SSG in school.
Plenary sessions, interactive breakout sessions and enriched discussions will be conducted during the training to provide a venue for policy consultations among DepEd officials, student-leaders and teacher advisers.
Well-known personalities from public and private sectors, such as former President Corazon Aquino, Senator Manuel Roxas III, Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT) Chairman Manuel Pangilinan, University of the Philippines (UP) Professor Solita “Winnie” Monsod and Team Pilipinas Basketball Coach Chot Reyes, will serve as speakers and lecturers to give valuable insights on leadership and management.
Presidents, vice-presidents, secretaries and other officers of the SSG for school year 2007 to 2008, including their respective teacher-advisers, principals and division and regional education supervisors of araling panlipunan or Student Government Program (SGP) coordinators, are encouraged to attend the training.
Interested individuals may contact CSCA Executive Director Joey Pelaez at (02) 631-8495 or (02) 636-3603 for inquiries.
By Lemuel Valles
PGMA Vows to Support RP Education
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo vowed to improve and modernize the country's educational system before the end of her term in 2010.
Before the start of a roundtable discussion in Malacañang that focused on education for competitiveness, productivity and poverty alleviation, the President revealed that the government increased the budget allocation of the Department of Education (DepEd) to P150 billion this year from P129 billion in 2006 in an effort to modernize the educational system.
For the technical and vocational education, the President said that she had alloted P4 billion for student loans, business-funded training and expansion of State Universities and Colles (SUCs) under the leadership of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).
As a result of this, beneficiaries of student loans increased from 40,000 last year to 200,000 this year.
The President reported that in 2006, her administration had constructed 15,000 classrooms and implemented two shifts a day with a ratio of 50 grade school students in every classroom, except in some conflict areas.
"If someone knows of an elementary school with two shifts and yet there are more than 50 students per classroom in each shift, please let us know," she urged.
Since 2001, the government has hired more than 40,000 teachers and trained 200,000. In 2004, the DepEd also started its regional payroll system which processes salaries and retirement pays within 30 days.
The government, according to the Chief Executive, also produced 120 million textbooks and teachers' manuals and was able to provide one textbook per grade school student for English, filipino, science, mathematics and social studies subjects compared to one textbook for every five learners in the past. To ensure the success of the program, the President instructed all government agencies and government financial institutions (GFIs) to support the educational upgrading project of the government.
Among those in the discussion were DepEd Secretary Jesli Lapus, CHED Chairman Carlito Puno, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Chairman Augusto "Bobby" Syjuco and the beneficiaries of TESDA ladderized training program Roslyn Darum, a welder of Hajin in Subic, Zambales and Charity Fernandez, call center agent of APAC Call Center.
By Lawrence Cruz
DepEd in Partnership with TESDA & Microsoft Phils - 1,570 Tech-Voc Teachers Undergo Training to Implement the STVEP
In line with flagship program of Secretary Jesli Lapus to strengthen the Technical-Vocational Education Program (TVEP) in the high school level, at least 1,240 tech-voc teachers underwent training in the various areas of specialization last summer.
The trainings in the 18 areas of specialization were conducted by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and Microsoft Philippines which
handled PC Operations. There are 11 areas of specialization for Arts and Trades, 4 areas in Agriculture and 3 areas in Fishery.
The 18 areas of specialization include the following: 1) Automotive Technology, 2) Electronics Technology, 3) Building Wiring Installation, 4) Building Construction, 5) Furniture and Cabinet Making, 6) Machine Shop Technology, 7) Welding Technology, 8) Plumbing, 9) Computer Hardware Servicing and 10) Technical Drawing, 11) PC Operations, 12) Crop production, 13) Vegetable Production, 14) Animal Production and 15) Food Processing, 16) Fish Capture, 17) Fish Culture and 18) Fish Processing.
It may be recalled that the Competency-Based Curricula (CBC) for these 18 areas of specialization were developed during a writeshop conducted last April by the Department of Education (DepEd) in collaboration with TESDA, SEAMEO-INNOTECH and Microsoft Philippines.
The tech-voc teacher trainings were conducted in the Regional Centers of Excellence of TESDA which are located nationwide. The trainings have three components, namely, the 1) technology component, 2) the training methodology and 3) the assessment. As a prerequisite to the implementation of the CBC in selected Tech-Voc Schools, the teachers themselves have to be trained or retooled based on the training regulations and standards and have to be certified by TESDA.
Microsoft Philippines trains 328 tech-voc teachers on PC Operations
Microsoft Philippines trained at least 328 tech-voc teachers on PC Operations last June 4 to 10 in the various training centers, such as University of Lasalette, Isabela, Angeles University Foundation, Angeles City, Malayan Colleges, Laguna, Ateneo de Naga, Naga, Western Visayas College of Science and Technology, Iloilo City, Cebu Institute of Technology, Cebu City, Asian Development College, Tacloban City, Caraga Regional Science High School, Surigao City, UP Mindanao, Davao City and Dipolog Medical Center College Foundation, Dipolog City.
According to one of the staff of Microsoft Philippines, one week training is too short for the teachers who are not familiar with the internet. In fact some of the participants admitted that it is their first time to actually use a computer and see for themselves how a network operates.
During the training period, the participants need to pass three modular exams in order to receive an IC3 or Internet Computing Course Certificate from Microsoft. 34 participants passed the IC3. Cebu City has the highest number of passers with 9 participants; Angeles City has 8 passers; Naga has 7 passers.
The trainees hope to undergo the TESDA Assessment on PC Operation with NC2 qualificatiosn during the first quarter of the school year.
By Demi Manuel
CSCA Opens One Year US Scholarship for Students
The Center for Students and Co-curricular Affairs (CSCA) of the department and the AFS-Partners for Learning Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Scholarship Program opened the nominations for a year of full academic scholarship to the US to third year high school students in public schools.
The YES program aims to build bridges of understanding and mutual respect between the United States and countries with significant Muslim populations.
According to Joey Pelaez director of CSCA, priority is given to students from regions 9,10, 11, 12 and the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) this year.
Nominees must belong to the top 10 percent of the third year population of their respective schools, 15 to 17 years old, and must have medical clearance,” Pelaez added.
The YES scholars will be placed in grades 10 or 11 in US public high schools. They are expected to participate in classroom and extra curricular activities as regular students. At the end of the program, the scholars are required to be back in the Philippines to finish fourth year in their school.
Other program participants are students from Egypt, Ghana, Indonesia, Malaysia, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, India and Brunei.
Since 2004, the program has sent 118 Filipino scholars to the US. Some 40 scholars are scheduled to leave on August 5, 2007, making it a total of 158.
The YES program is administered by a consortia of exchange organizations in the US. It is funded by the US State Department, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
In the Philippines, the YES program is implemented by the AFS Returnees Foundation Philippines through its AFS Intercultural Programs-Philippines office.
Applications may be hand carried or delivered by courier to: Emily David, YES Program Officer, AFS Intercultural Programs-Philippines 2/F UP ISSI Bldg., Jacinto St., UP Campus Diliman, Q.C. 1101.
Deadline for submission of application is on August 30, 2007 at 5 p.m.
By Maribel Cabasal
UNICEF Extends Hand to DepEd
The United Nations Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) formally gave instructional materials to the Department of Education (DepEd) in a simple turnover ceremony held at the DepEd central office on July 13.
UNICEF donated grade 1 instructional materials to the department to be used by private madaris in Mindanao and in the National Capital Region (NCR).
"This assistance will definitely benefit the successful implementation of the department's Arabic Language and Islamic Values Education (ALIVE) program and to provide culturally sensitive education to our students," Secretary Jesli Lapus said.
"Prior to its publication, the instructional materials were carefully prepared by highly qualified Muslim scholars to ensure that the contents do not deviate from Islamic values and teachings," Undersecretary for Muslim Affairs Manaros Boransing said.
The ALIVE program is a DepEd project and the Basic Education Assistance for Mindanao (BEAM) of the government of Australia through the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID).
The program is part of UNICEF's thrust in implementing projects that promote peaceful coexistence between Christians and Muslims in war plagued areas like Mindanao.
By Lawrence Cruz
Muslim Drop-Outs Can Study Thru ALIVE Project
The Muslim out-of-school youths (OSYs) and adults can now have better access to basic education through the Alternative Learning System (ALS) – Arabic Language and Islamic Values Education (ALIVE) project of the Department of Education.
The ALIVE in ALS project is a new approach of delivering ALS program to the Muslims OSYs and adults. The program provides core learnings with additional Islamic concerns consisting of Arabic language and Islamic values in the learning experiences of Muslim learners.
According to Undersecretary for Muslim Affairs Manaros Boransing, the ALIVE in ALS project will initially target the Muslim OSYs and adults in the urban areas where massive migration have been noted. The Muslims’ search for “better business
opportunities” in the cities, particularly in NCR, have led to the big number of Muslims here,” Undersecretary Boransing said.
“The ALIVE project can also be an option on the present problem of overcrowding in our public schools,” Undersecretary Boransing added.
The pilot sites for the ALIVE project include: Manila, Taguig, Paranaque, Pasay, Caloocan, Quezon City, San Juan, San Fernando City and Angeles City.
Other sites are Cavite, Bacolod, Iloilo, Aklan, Bohol, Tagbilaran, Cebu City, Mandaue, Lapu-lapu City, Talisay City, Zaboanga City, Zamboanga Sibugay, Pagadian, Dipolog, Dapitan City, Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, Ozamis, Bukidnon, Oroquieta, Valencia City, Davao, Kidapawan and Baguio.
By Maribel Cabasal
DepEd Union: Lapus ‘Doing Well’
The employees union of the Department of Education (DepEd) say that Lapus is doing well in the department.
According to lawyer Domingo Alidon, president of the 40,000-strong DepEd National Employees Union (DepED-NEU), “Secretary Lapus, so far, has honored and lived up to the five performance parameters set for all those who would serve as DepED Secretary.”
Alidon listed the five performance parameters as follows: No politicking in the Department of Education; professional management of the department; respect for the rights of public sector unionism; management transparency; and continuation of educational reforms
“So far, there has been no politicking in DepEd. The secretary has clearly avoided using the department for the political gain of the Arroyo government, especially during the May 2007 elections. In fact, the secretary even shielded the DepEd employees from possible abuse and misuse during the elections by insisting on the teachers’ rights and interests,” Alidon stressed. The DepEd chief has respected union rights and attained management transparency by including union representatives in the department’s management committee, personnel development committee, personnel selection board in the regional and division offices, bidding and awards committee, provident fund regional board of trustees and all other committees.
The union singled out three of Lapus’ accomplishments which showed the DepEd chief’s professional management, which contributed to the improvement of the Philippine public education system. These include his effort to reduce class size, increase the ratio of textbooks, improve the system of rehabilitation of school facilities and provide global competitiveness through the cyber education (CyberEd) project.
One of Secretary Lapus’ first initiatives was expediting and improving the guidelines for teacher employment and ensuring that the best candidates assumed the 7,237 teaching posts,” Alidon said.
“With the creation of more teaching positions and hiring of 16,390 teachers, there is currently no substantial shortage of teachers this 2007,” Alidon added.
An improved system for the repair and maintenance of school structures was adopted by the secretary. Instead of focusing solely on the new construction of buildings and classrooms, the DepEd head undertook projects for the rehabilitation of schools.
As to the “textbook issues and allegations” against the secretary, the alleged erroneous textbooks were not negotiated and printed during Secretary Lapus’ time. The chief has reformed the textbook procurement process thereby ensuring the quality of textbooks used in all public schools in the country. The new procurement process features the increased involvement of the community to ensure government transparency and accountability.
The DepEd’s cyberEd program would revolutionize Philippine education by linking 36,000 public schools throughout the country under a computer network. These will allow students from remote areas to receive expert instruction from master teachers through virtual classrooms. It will also make the world wide web, a rich source of materials, available to schoolchildren in need of references to supplement their education. The DepED-NEU commended the DepEd chief for providing career assistance to graduating high school students through the National Career Assessment program.
“The continued stay in DepEd of Secretary Lapus is being endorsed by the union to ensure the continuity of programs and projects that are already being implemented. We have asked President Arroyo to retain the Secretary because his approach to public school education is in line with the government’s anti-poverty program and social reform agenda,” Alidon said.
159 OSYs Take Basic Ed Diploma thru Alternative Learning System
A grade 3 finisher was conferred certificate of elementary education graduate after she topped the Alternative Learning System Accreditation and Equivalency (ALS A & E) test.
Lisa Ann Alvarado was among the five passers who graduated in elementary education while 154 others graduated in secondary course during the graduation rites held on June 30 at San Juan High School, Mexico, Pampanga.
The ALS A & E passers are qualified to pursue the next level of education. According to Dr. Leonardo Zapanta, ALS education supervisor 1 of the division of Pampanga, majority of their passers are pursuing tertiary and technical-vocational courses.
As part of basic literacy program, ALS regularly conducts A & E Learning sessions for out-of-school (OSY) youth and adults who did not finish schooling due to poverty or absence of school in their areas.
OSYs who are over high school age and those over elementary age can take the A & E test for secondary and elementary education, respectively. OSYs can submit their applications for A & E test through the division office on September 3 to November 23, 2007.
The graduation of ALS A & E passers was attended by Director Carolina Guererro of BALS; Dr. Felipe Canoza, DepEd regional Office ALS chief; Dr. Amelia Julian, assistant chief; Dr. Nicolas Capulong, assistant schools division superintendent of Pampanga.
“The vigorous implementation of ALS A & E program is a manifestation of the commitment of the division of Pampanga to Education for All,” Director Guerrero said.
By Dr. Amelia Juan, ALS Region 3
DepEd Trains Ifugao Teachers on Science Projects
The Department of Education has trained the teachers and the principal of Lagawe Central School (LCS) Lagawe, Ifugao on technological skills and higher order thinking skills to prepare them for the implementation of the Special Science Elementary School (SSES).
Gloria Ambojnon, supervisor of Lagawe said that LCS is the pilot school for SSES so the teachers had to be trained last May.
Ambojnon explained that the project starts with grades 1 and 2 this school year. A total of 35 pupils from grades 1 and 2 have passed the mental ability test in science and they are qualified to enter the SSES.
Seen as a dynamic community that fosters positive and scientific attitudes towards self and society, Ambojnon said that the LCS will be the feeder school for the Science High School which is located in the municipality of Lamut.
The SSES envisions developing Filipino children who are equipped with scientific and technological knowledge, skills and attitudes; creative and have positive values; and lifelong learning skills to become productive partners in the development of the community and society.
It aims to determine the qualities that science inclined learners possess; describe the characteristics of a good special elementary school; and determine the factors inputted into the SSES that significantly contribute to the improved performance of the learners involved in the study.
Ambojnon said that the school is strategically located and is accessible to most schools in the division. It has enough space for infrastructure improvement and other projects such as science or botanical garden.
SSES, according to the guidelines should have “state of the art” technology that provides for standard size classrooms of 7 meters by 9 meters with at least two computers, a television set, cassette recorder, player LCD projector, OHP, VHS/VCD/DVD player for every classroom. The classrooms should also have science laboratories, computer laboratory with multimedia and internet facilities; speech laboratory; music room and musical instruments and a gym with functional sports facilities.
By Lawrence Cruz
Region 3 Ranks 4th in NAT
DepEd Region 3 ranks 4th in the roster of top performing regions in the National Achievement Test (NAT) given in school year 2006 to 2007 to Grade 6 pupils in the public schools. Balanga City is 5th placer among the country’s highest divisions with a mean percentage score of 77.67. Balanga City division attributes its NAT achievement to its close supervision of instruction in schools, various interventions, intensive reading instruction and teachers’ training. The division of Bataan retains its 2nd highest rank in the region for two years. With 74.60 mean percentage score, Bataan is 13th highest division in the national level. The next highest NAT raters in the region are Malolos City with 72.7 1, Science City of Muñoz with 67.74 and Cabanatuan City with 67.01.
Region 3’s highest performing schools in NAT are as follows: Salapungan Elementary School (89.42) and Bagong Baryo Elementary School (88.80) of Bulacan, T. Carnacho Sr. Elementary School (88.55) of Balanga City, Tibagan Elementary School (88.09) of Bulacan and Daan Pare Elementary School (87.16) of Bataan. The highest performing schools in each subject area are Bagumbayan Elementary School of Bataan, 98.31 in Mathematics; Tibagan Elementary School of Bulacan, 95.43 in Heograpiya, Kultura at Sibika; T. Camacho Sr. Elementary School, Balanga City, 94.27 in Fi1ipino; Alikabok Elementary School of Bataan, 91.83 in English and 89.92 in Science. Dr. Mario Ramirez, regional director, commended the effort of teachers, supervisors and superintendents and former Director Dinah Mindo for the region’s remarkable progress in NAT performance from 8th to 4th place. Mrs. Celia Nacpil, assistant chief and officer in charge of the elementary education division of region 3, said the NAT performance is a payoff of the direct training of teachers and the technical assistance extended by the education supervisors through adopting and focusing on low performing schools.
<2007 Pambansang Ulirang Kabataan> Cherry Oro: To Excel and to Serve
A consistent first honors student from grade 1 to grade 5, Cherry Oro, 16, the eldest in a family of four, excitedly walked onstage during her Graduation Exercises in grade 6 expecting again, for the highest honors, only to get the 3rd honorable mention. With tears welling in her eyes, she looked down at the seats. Her parents were sitting there, a small but very precious entourage. Her fault? She lacked extra-curricular activities. From that time on, she vowed to herself, she would return to that school a success, or she wouldn’t return at all.
Born to a poor family, Cherry transferred to Valencia National High School for her secondary education, a 20 to 30 minutes motorela (tricycle) drive from her house. In school, Cherry met Ms. Violah Elsha Jimeno, Math department head, who promised to help Cherry finance her studies. Ms. Jimeno bought her new sets of uniform, paid for her projects and contributions, and handed her P20 daily for her “baon”. In return, Cherry did errands for Ms. Jimeno and helped in her office.
Cherry pushed hard to realize her dream. She studied well, nurtured her talents, crafted her skills and brought home awards and academic recognitions. While excelling in school, she went extra mile to serve her family. She rises before dawn everyday to cook for the family’s breakfast, fixes herself and her siblings and are off for school at 6 a.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays are her wash days.
When Cherry was in second year high school, tragedy struck: Her mother, a housewife, was diagnosed with kidney failure while her father, a farmer, was declared to have prostate cancer. Cherry was devastated but life had to go on. She asked for financial help from government officials for her parents’ medicines and laboratory expenses. “When I learned that German doctors were on a health mission in a nearby town, I brought my mother there several times. My parents should still be taking their medications but oftentimes they miss because we have to prioritize our food,” Cherry says.
Cherry recalls the instance when at a fund-raising activity in school, her group met a bloodied boy on the street. Instantly, Cherry carried the boy to the nearest hospital, brought out the P1,500 gathered from the fund-raising, and asked the doctors to attend to the sick child. After making sure that the boy was out of danger, Cherry went to her adviser to borrow P5,000 for the hospital bill. She paid her debt after organizing another fund-raising activity. “If you see that something is wrong, and you think you can contribute to changing it, then you have a responsibility to do it,” Cherry says.
One day, a stunning surprise was again, awaiting her: the marble-like growth on her brother’s lower ear was cancerous. Cherry watched helplessly while his brother’s body deteriorated. The sight scared her but she showed a brave front to her family. The emotion still fresh in her voice, she says, “I approached our well-to-do townmates and asked for help once again.” Through financial dole-outs, her brother was able to undergo four chemotherapy sessions at P25,000 each. “He is still short of two sessions but in cases such as these, somebody up there takes care of it,” Cherry says pointing above.
Barely glancing up from her seat, Cherry shares her deepest feelings, “I am fiercely protective of my family and I want to give them a better life.”
Cherry graduated class valedictorian, president of the Supreme Student Council, a champion parliamentarian, hailed as Ambassador of Peace, and a recipient of various leadership and skills awards.
Cherry is now a Department of Science and Technology full scholar at the Central Mindanao University taking up Food Technology. Her first P3,000 monthly stipend from DOST was utilized for her siblings’ school supplies. She also gave a few hundreds to her mother to start a sari-sari store. “Kailangan naming kumita para sa araw-araw naming pangangailangan,“ Cherry says with tremendous pride and joy written on her face.
When asked of her plans now that she was given an award of P20,000 as the year’s Pambansang Ulirang Kabataan, Cherry leans back on her chair and grins, “panimula sa backyard piggery business ng father ko.”
Things seem to be going well for Cherry and she is very thankful for all the blessings. This girl knows about poverty. But she also knows about generosity – not giving what you have, but giving what someone else’s needs. She intends to serve as a Samahang Kabataan in her town, pursue her youth development projects, open jobs to the
poor, and conduct youth symposia on the importance of education. She also dreams of becoming the President of the Philippines and promises not to be eaten by the “system” because according to her, the Lord will be her guide.
Sitting across a small table, wearing a cotton shirt over denim pants, I asked if she has gone back to her school in her elementary grades, she snaps, “not yet, but I will visit them soon,” while she turns to gaze out the window at passing clouds.
Cherry Oro of region 10 was chosen national winner during the 3rd Pambansang Gawad sa Ulirang Kabataan held at the Colonial Ballroom, Palm Plaza Hotel, Malate Manila on June 11. The awarding ceremony was in connection with the observance of the 109th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence.
By Maribel Cabasal
OSEC COMMUNICATIONS DEPED COMPLEX, MERALCO AVENUE, PASIG CITY 1600T (02) 6316033 F (02) 6364876 WEBSITE www.deped.gov.ph EMAIL [email protected]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEAUGUST 12, 2009
DepEd, partners make healthy, happy kidsFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEAUGUST 12, 2009The Department of Education, Philippine Dental Association (PDA), andLamoiyan Corporation launch a project today that will surely put smiles to some8,200 preschool kids in 86 schools nationwide.Education Secretary Jesli Lapus, PDA President Dr. Leo Gerald De Castro andLamoiyan Corporation CEO Dr. Cecilio Pedro signed into an agreement theHappy Smiles for Healthy Kids project, which will bring to schools healthintervention programs. The launch was held in Bagong Ilog Elementary Schoolin Pasig City.The project is under DepEd’s Essential Health Care Program (EHCP), whichaims to improve students’ academic performance and reduce drop-out rate byaddressing their health and dental concerns.The event highlight was the turnover of EHCP packages to target beneficiaries.The package has a toothbrush, soap, and access to toothpaste. During theevent, PDA also held oral education and oral examinations for pupils andparents.The EHCP is a simple, cost-effective school-based health program of DepEdbeing implemented in public schools in partnership with the local governmentunits, the private sector and other community stakeholders.Lamoiyan Corporation is a Filipino brand and maker of Hapee Toothpaste.PDA is comprised of 156 licensed dentist members involved in the developmentof workable oral health programs in public elementary schools and communities.The goal is to increase their level of oral health care awareness thus decreasingthe incidence of dental caries.Based on a recent Nationwide Oral Health Survey (NOHS) initiated by theDepartment of Education some 97 percent of six-year old Filipino schoolchildren have poor dental habits, resulting to learning difficulty.
DepEd’s Adopt –A School Program and Health and Nutrition Center are the leadgovernment agencies in the ECHP.END
OSEC COMMUNICATIONS DEPED COMPLEX, MERALCO AVENUE, PASIG CITY 1600T (02) 6316033 F (02) 6364876 WEBSITE www.deped.gov.ph EMAIL [email protected]
PRESS RELEASE
Free breakfast for better school performancePublic school students from Oranbo Elementary School in Pasig City will receivefree breakfast meals from sauce and condiments company NutriAsia in the nextsix months to improve student nutrition and school performance.“Breakfast feeding is among the projects of the Department of Education(DepEd) to increase participation rate among our students while addressing theincidence of drop-outs and malnutrition,” explained Education Secretary Br.Armin Luistro FSC.“Studies have shown that there are many children who come to school on anempty stomach. Learning is severely affected when students are hungry which,in turn, results to poor school performance and eventual dropping out,” addedLuistro.At 7:00am from August 2010 to January 2011, personnel from the NutriAsiaGroup will serve public school children with warm breakfast before they startclasses. Rice meals with choice of vegetables, pork, or fish will be served alongwith fruits and milk-choco or choco drinks.“We appeal to parents to help us sustain the feeding program at home,” saidNutriAsia President and COO Noel Lorenzana in a launching held recently atOranbo Elementary School. “We have seen positive results from feedingprograms and we would like to have that same result in our program – improvedweight of children and higher achievement levels.”Gabay sa Kalusugan Feeding and Nutrition Program is NutriAsia’s joint projectwith DepEd that costs some P5 million. Their target beneficiaries for this yearare 700 Grade 1 to Grade 3 pupils from three schools in Luzon, one in Cebuand one in Davao.Parents, school personnel, and NutriAsia employees will work together to feedthese children everyday. A nutritionist will also be around to see if the servingsize is right and has nutritional content. Each beneficiary’s weight and heightwill be measured periodically and the grades closely watched by their classadvisers.Present during the launching is Oranbo Barangay Captain Richard Pua andDepEd Pasig City Schools Division Superintendent Florentina Lizano. Puathanks NutriAsia for the program that he believes will help children of hisconstituents stay in school.END
DepEd stands up against poverty
Employees of the Department of Education endured the sweltering afternoon heat as they answered the call to unite against poverty in the Philippines and around the globe during a rally in front of the DepEd offices in Pasig City on October 17, 2007. The event "Stand Up, Speak Out" gathered staff from various DepEd departments clad in white – the color symbolizing the fight against poverty and global hunger. In accordance with Presidential Proclamation 717 which declares October 17-23 of this and succeeding years as the National Week for Overcoming Poverty, students and teachers from public schools across the country were likewise enjoined to participate and conduct their own programs for the campaign. These include the Food For School Program, and classroom discussions as well as various competitions advocating poverty reduction through awareness. The local theme for this year's campaign "Kumilos, Manindigan, Labanan ang Kahirapan" complements the international theme "Stand Up, Speak Out Against Poverty and for the Millenium Development Goals". Set by the United Nations, the theme challenges individuals as well as various sectors of society – government agencies, non-government organizations and private institutions – to take an active role in alleviating the condition of the poor. "DepEd is a core member of the National Anti-Poverty Commission and as such we are determined to create programs that will enable the community to be more involved in the fight against poverty," Undersecretary Ramon Bacani explained. "The fight against poverty is not ours alone. It is the fight of every Filipino. Indeed, it concerns each individual in this planet. Poverty affects us all. It is only through a united effort that we can end it."
ENDOSEC COMMUNICATIONS DEPED COMPLEX, MERALCO AVENUE, PASIG CITY 1600TELEPHONE (02) 6316033 FAX (02) 6364876 EMAIL [email protected]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDecember 19, 2007
UN cites DepEd on campaign againstpovertyThe Department of Education (DepEd) received a commendation from the UnitedNations for helping set a new Guinness World Record of 43,716,440 for the mostnumber of people ever to mobilize against poverty in a 24-hour period.Salil Shetty, director of the United Nations Millennium Campaign and Nileema Noble,UN resident coordinator in the Philippines lauded the Department for participating in theevent to end poverty and inequality and living up to the promise of achieving the UNMillennium Development Goals (MDG), as part of a global movement of likemindedcitizens.“We are one with the UN in the effort of alleviating poverty, in particular in achievinguniversal primary education,” Education Secretary Jesli A. Lapus said.Of the 7.1 million Filipinos who supported the movement, 2.8 million or 39.44 percentwas mobilized by the DepEd. The number of Filipinos who stood up for the campaignaccounted for 16 percent of the 43.7 million people who participated from 127 countriesaround the world.The Philippines ranked second in Asia and the Pacific in the Guinness World Record inthe Stand Up and Speak Out Movement to fight poverty and achieve the MDG set bythe UN.On behalf of the UN team in the Philippines, Noble expressed appreciation for thetremendous show of support and commitment to the UN October Month celebrationwhich was highlighted by the 2007 Stand Up, Speak Out campaign on October 17.
“Filipinos from all walks of life came together to make their voices heard and urgedleaders to act and fight poverty to in order to keep their promise of meeting the MDG by2015,” Noble said in a statement.The MDG has eight goals: eradicate extreme poverty and hunger; achieve universalprimary education; promote gender equality and empower women; reduce childmortality; improve maternal health; combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases;ensure environmental sustainability and develop a global partnership for development.These goals form a blueprint agreed to by all the world’s countries and all the world’sleading development institutions. They have galvanized unprecedented efforts to meetthe needs of the world’s poorest.In a recent mid-term MDG progress report, the Philippines noted significant gains inmeeting the MDG challenge provided that measures to overcome poverty aresustained. The same report said that in order to address hunger and nutrition, cohortsurvival rate, maternal mortality and access to reproductive health services there is aneed for more resources and an accelerated implementation of interventions both at thenational and local levels.END
OSEC COMMUNICATIONS DEPED COMPLEX, MERALCO AVENUE, PASIG CITY 1600FAX (02) 6364876 EMAIL [email protected]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE27 MAY 2008
School health, nutrition congress kicks offon May 28Recognizing the direct link of the health of schoolchildren to academicperformance, the Department of Education shall conduct the 2008 NationalSchool Health and Nutrition Congress on May 28 to 30 at Teachers Camp,Baguio City to highlight the innovations in health care delivery in public schools.The Congress is initiated by DepEd’s School Health and Nutrition Center andthe Adopt-a-School secretariat.Carrying the theme “The Changing Face of School Health Now and into theFuture,” the convergence will be attended by school health officials, medicalofficers, dentists, nurses, and other school health personnel including officialsfrom partner agencies and Adopt-a-School Program coordinators across thecountry.“We are expecting 1,500 delegates from the regions, divisions, schools as wellas representatives from partner agencies and private organizations,” SHNCDirector Thelma Santos said.Secretary Jesli Lapus shall be the keynote speaker of the congress.One of the highlights of the four-day gathering is the awarding of the outstandingschool health personnel and retirees.This year’s congress seeks to present assessment of collaborative effort tomitigate hunger and improve health as well as academic achievements of publicschool children.It also aims to provide platforms to sustain health programs and forgecommitment and grand alliances with stakeholders for school health.Some 26 partner agencies including non-government organizations are invitedto participate in this event of national impact.End
Related Documents
