Archive for June, 2012

Schools conduct simultaneous nationwide earthquake and fire drill

(PRESS RELEASE)

Today, June 29, at 8:30 a.m., schools nationwide have simultaneously rung the alarm bell to alert students and teachers giving the impression of an emergency when there was actually none. The activity is part of the quarterly conduct of the National School-Based Earthquake and Fire Drill.

Education Secretary Br. Armin A. Luistro FSC has directed all public and private schools nationwide as well as all DepEd offices and attached agencies to undertake the national simultaneous emergency drills today. The directive is contained in DepEd Order No. 48, series of 2012.

Luistro joined the conduct of the simulated emergency response in the Pasig Central Elementary School at Caruncho Avenue in San Nicolas Pasig City. “The ceremonial pressing of the alarm button here marked the start of the simultaneous nationwide quarterly conduct of the school-based earthquake and fire drill.”

DepEd partners with the Department of National Defense (DND) and the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) in the conduct of the emergency drills.

DepEd and its partner agencies want to generate the highest level of awareness among the public on disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptations through the emergency drills. “In doing this regularly, we can assess the capacity level and response of the schools and the community in the event of disasters and other emergencies,” Luistro explained. 

The Order also directs all public and private schools to prepare important requirements for the conduct of the activity which include the school site development plan, the composition of the school disaster management committee, identification of high risk areas inside the school which have been properly labeled, the emergency preparedness evaluation and contingency plan and the communication and coordination plan with the local government units and the local DRRMC.

Luistro said that all schools must have a school disaster management committee, which must be composed of an over-all coordinator, a first aid team, fire safety team, communication team, building safety inspection team, evacuation team and site security team.

“Let us make sure that all bases are covered and secured so that we are not caught off guard when emergencies happen,” said Luistro.

DepEd receives new school building from Matuwid Na Daan Sa Silid Aralan project

(PRESS RELEASE) 

The Philippine Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has turned over a one-storey five-classroom school building to the Department of Education today in Sampaloc Elementary School in Tanay, Rizal as part of the Matuwid Na Daan Sa Silid Aralan Project.

Education Secretary Br. Armin A. Luistro FSC personally received the newly constructed school building from PAGCOR Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Cristino Naguiat, Jr. in a simple turnover ceremony in Tanay.

“We are thankful for the continued support of various stakeholders in addressing the classroom shortage in public schools. We hope that our collaborative efforts will someday transform into a story of triumph, specifically on how we are able to win over what seems to be an impossible and hopeless case in our education system,” said Luistro.

Matuwid na Daan Sa Silid Aralan Project is part of Bayanihang Pampaaralan through PAGCOR wherein a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was signed on June 30, 2011 between PAGCOR and DepEd during the observance of President Benigno S. Aquino’s first year in office.

In the MOA, PAGCOR has committed to allocate P1B for the construction of 1,000 fully-equipped classrooms.

The new school building in Sampaloc ES, Tanay, Rizal is the first batch of classrooms completed by DepEd under the project. School beneficiaries are selected based on the DepEd’s list of public elementary and secondary schools which need additional classrooms.

Bayanihang Pampaaralan is an initiative of 57-75 Movement that aims to consolidate classroom building efforts and direct funds for the construction of 10,000 classrooms in areas that need the most assistance.

Enchanted Kingdom, DepEd promote edutainment

The Department of Education has inked an agreement with Enchanted Kingdom (EK), a popular theme park in the country, to promote creativity in education using both entertainment and education that are available in the learning zones inside the theme park.

The agreement was signed today by Education Secretary Br. Armin A. Luistro FSC and EK Chairman and President Mario O. Mamon.

Luistro said this is a welcome partnership as children can have a chance to learn the concepts of science, technology, the arts and other disciplines while being entertained.  “Education can be imparted through various means and methods, and education by way of a more entertaining approach is just as effective,” said Luistro.

Mamon, for its part, said, education and the promotion of values are two of the park’s advocacies for the past 16 years.

Enchanted Kingdom reaches out to students through the EK School Caravan which encourages schools to have an educational trip in the park. The caravan, which runs from June to October this year, targets three schools per month in the CALABARZON, Manila, and nearby cities. During the school caravan, student discounts and the EK wish list will be offered with special rates for merchandise items.

Enchanted Kingdom also highlights Enchanting Edutainment Program. In this undertaking, the theme park is considered as a classroom with diverse educational offerings including the protection of the environment.

Its edutainment programs include EKstreme Science which demonstrates simple science experiments. Its Animal Encounter exposes the visitors to the world of exotic animals and how to care for them while Enchanting Story Telling is conducted to inculcate values among the young park guests.

Aside from edutainment, the theme park also has Edu-Learning Modules which integrate learning through science, engineering and arts. This can be experienced and learned through the various rides and attractions inside the park.

The Enchanted Kingdom Wizards Club was also launched recently for kids and teens ages 6 to 18 to help develop their talents and skills while instilling the values of excellence, leadership, artistry and the sense of duty and responsibility.

In this year’s Brigada Eskwela, the EK staff volunteered at the Platero Elementary School in Biñan, Laguna where it transformed two kindergarten classrooms into enchanting learning zones.

DepEd holds special coaching for differently-abled athletes

(PRESS RELEASE) 

Did you know that differently-abled athletes need a system of talent identification, coaching and training that caters to their specific needs?

This is the reason why the Department of Education and the Philippine Sports Association for the Differently-Abled, National Paralympic Committee of the Philippines (PHILSPADA-NPC Philippines) conduct basic and advanced training of trainors and coaches as well as technical and classification seminars for differently-abled persons.

Education Secretary Br. Armin A. Luistro FSC said there is a need to establish a pool of coaches, trainors, technical officials and classifiers who will help differently-abled athletes in all levels of competition.

Based on DepEd Memorandum 100, series of 2012, the training program is aimed at organizing and training of coaches and trainors on the proper system of coaching and training of differently-abled athletes.

“Part of inclusive education is giving our differenty-abled athletes the kind of training and other support services they need to optimize their potential as a total person,” said Luistro.

The training program will also lead to the identification of outstanding differently-abled athletes and the installation of a correct classification for visually impaired and orthopedically handicapped athletes.

The training has three components, namely, training of trainers and coaches, technical and classification seminars and talent identification. It will be held separately in Mindanao, Visayas, and Luzon. The first leg was in Mindanao on June 22 to 24 at the University of Mindanao in Davao City which was attended by coaches and athletes from Regions 9, 10, 11, 12, and CARAGA.

The next leg will be at the Abellana Sports Complex in Cebu City on July 4 to 8 where coaches and athletes from Regions 6, 7, and 8 will participate. The last leg will be conducted on September 21 to 23 at the Narcisio Ramos Sports and Civic Center in Lingayen, Pangasinan for coaches and athletes of Regions 1, 2, 3, 4-A, 4-B, Region 5, National Capital Region, and Cordillera Administrative Region.

The participating athletes for the talent identification in athletics, swimming, table tennis, goalball, futsal, and boccia are those who are orthopedically handicapped and visually impaired. The training may be used by PHILSPADA-NPC Philippines as basis in selecting members of the Philippine team for international competitions.

Public schools join Ecosavers program

(PRESS RELEASE)

Teach children segregation right at home, reinforce the habit in school and environmental concern becomes second nature.

This is the essence of the National Ecosavers Program jointly launched by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Education (DepEd), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and Galing Pook Foundation.

The move is governed by the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 (Republic Act No. 9003) which established the legal and technical framework for a systematic, comprehensive and ecological solid waste management program.

R.A. 9003 requires the DepEd to strengthen the integration of environmental concerns in school curricula, with particular emphasis on the theory and practice of resource conservation, recovery, segregation at source and recycling. The parties agree to collaborate in the replication of best practices in ecological solid waste management in public elementary and secondary schools in Metro Manila in cooperation with the concerned local government units.

DepEd is tapped to educate the students on the importance of environmental conservation and protection as it relates to sustainable development.

Education Secretary Br. Armin A. Luistro FSC said the program will encourage students even at a young age to practice waste segregation at home and the collection of recyclable materials which could teach them the value ofsipag at sinop. “This can be a good environmental habit which when first taught at our children’s respective homes can be reinforced strongly in schools,” said Luistro.

Based on the agreement students will be taught collection and segregation of recyclable materials. In schools, a storage and transaction area for recyclables will be identified and an incentive system for students in exchange of recyclable wastes will be established. Biodegradable wastes will be composted in support of the National Greening Program.

The DENR, through the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) shall lead in the planning, implementation and monitoring of the program and provide technical and funding support to DepEd to enable the schools and the LGUs to effectively implement the program. It will also link the schools with junkshops and recycler associations for the marketing of recyclable wastes.

The DepEd shall assist in the planning, implementation and monitoring of the program and provide overall supervision in the implementation of the program at school level. It will also ensure the integration of ecological solid waste management concepts and principles in the academic curricula.

Public schools to teach the value of hardwork and discipline

(PRESS RELEASE)

More than 80,000 pupils and 5,000 teachers are set to benefit from an advocacy program that teaches pupils the value of hardwork and discipline in selected public schools across the country.

Launched by the Department of Education in partnership with Fortune Life Insurance Co., Inc., the advocacy program aims to enhance pupils’ knowledge on the value of savings, discipline as well as imbibe in them the practice of hardwork, in everyday life.

The program, launched today at the Bulwagan ng Karunungan at DepEd’s Central Office, was graced by Education Secretary Br. Armin A. Luistro FSC; Ambassador Antonio L. Cabangon Chua, Chairman Emeritus and Founder; and Arnold A. Cabangon, President, both of Fortune Life.

According to Luistro, the schools need to reinforce what children should have learned first in their homes. “We believe that we can better shape a brighter future for the country if the homes and the schools reinforce each other in teaching the right values and work attitude to our young,” Luistro said.

The project will provide workbooks for pupils and teaching guides for teachers. There will be additional beauty and wellness activities for teachers. Some 5,000 teachers and 80,000 pupils will benefit from the program in selected schools in the National Capital Region, Region 3, Region 4, Region 7 and Region 11.

“Of course, part of the equation is our dear teachers who will also benefit from the project by way of life- coaching activities on beauty and wellness,” added Luistro.

Luistro pleased with high approval rating of K to 12

(PRESS RELEASE)

Education Secretary Br. Armin A. Luistro has expressed his appreciation on the result of the latest SWS survey which showed that majority of Filipinos  believe  K to 12 will better prepare students for work and college education.

“It is important to us that many people are now beginning to appreciate the merits of K to 12, a reform program that will open more opportunities to our young people,” added Luistro.

The education chief said: “The positive results of the SWS survey serves both as a challenge and an inspiration to the department. It challenges us to work harder so that more Filipinos are able to understand and accept K to 12 and other education reforms that go with it. It also serves as an inspiration as we continue to move in one direction for the betterment of our youth and our nation.”

Luistro explained that DepEd continues to reach out to other sectors who still have  questions on the K to 12 EducationReform Program that will prepare high school graduates for the world of work, college education or entrepreneurship. 

“While the K to 12 program still needs some finetuning, the  feedback that we can generate from the public will help us understand and address the concerns of different education stakeholders,” Luistro said.

Sixty five percent of survey respondents  believe that the DepEd’s K to 12 Basic Education Reform Program will give students more sufficient knowledge and preparation compared to those who only finished 10 years of basic education. On the other hand, 61% think the K to 12 program will encourage the students   to finish senior high school because graduates are expected to be better prepared for work,  higher education and business.

Moreover, 59% of the respondents believe more will be encouraged to finish the K to 12 senior high school program because it is equivalent to two years of college at a high school rate, the survey result showed.

The March 2012 Social Weather Survey was conducted from March 10-13, 2012 using face-to-face interviews of 1,200 adults in Metro Manila, the Balance of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao (sampling error margins of ±3% for national percentages, ±6% for area percentages).

Survey shows majority of Pinoys believe K to 12 will better prepare students for work and college education

(PRESS RELEASE)

More than half of Filipinos believe that the Department of Education’s K to 12 basic education reform program will give students more sufficient knowledge and preparation (65%), and encourage them to finish senior high school  because graduates are better prepared for work,  higher education and business (61%).

Moreover, 59% of the  respondents believe more will be encouraged to finish the K to 12 senior high school program because it is equivalent to two  years of college at a high school rate, the survey result showed.

The first quarter 2012 Social Weather Survey, conducted from March 10-13, 2012, found that 65% believe that the K to 12 Basic Education Program will  give students more sufficient knowledge and preparation for work and college compared to those who finished only 10 years of basic education.

Those who believe (% strongly believe and % somewhat believe)  have always been a majority: it was 59% in June 2011, 63% in September 2011, 57% in December 2011, and 65% in March 2012.

Compared to the previous quarter, the proportion of those who believe this statement rose by 15 points in Metro Manila, from 53% to 68%, by 12 points in the Visayas, from 49% to 61%, and by 8 points in Balance Luzon, from 58% to 66%.

By class, it rose by 11 points in class D, from 55%in the previous quarter to 68% now. It slightly changed in class E, from 58% to 60%, and in class ABC, from 70% to 67%.

The same survey revealed that 61% believe more will finish K to 12 senior high school  because graduates will be better prepared for work, higher education, and business  even with the additional cost and number of years in high school.  The latest figure of 61% believing (% strongly believe plus % somewhat believe, correctly rounded) the statement is 9 points above the 52% in the previous quarter.

Moreover, 59% believe more students will finish senior high school under  K to 12 because it is equivalent to two  years of college or post secondary courses at a high school rate. This figure is 10 points above the plurality 48% in December 2011.

Compared to the previous quarter, the proportion of those who believe that more will finish K to 12 senior high school because it is equivalent to 2 years of college at a high school rate rose from pluralities to majorities in all areas. It rose by 15 points in Metro Manila, from 46% in December 2011 to 61% in March 2012, and in the Visayas, from 44% to 59%. It went up  by 11 points in Balance Luzon, from 48% in the previous quarter to 59% now. It has always been majority in Mindanao, hardly changing from 55% to 57%.

The same survey showed that  49% of adult Filipinos say they were previously aware of the 12-year basic education in other countries, while 51% say they learned about it from the survey. The latest figure of 49% previously aware is 10 points above 39% in December 2011, and the highest since SWS began monitoring it in June 2011.

Compared to the previous quarter, prior awareness of the 12-year basic education rose by 18 points in Metro Manila, from 50% to record-high 68%.

The March 2012 Social Weather Survey was conducted from March 10-13, 2012 using face-to-face interviews of 1,200 adults in Metro Manila, the Balance of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao (sampling error margins of ±3% for national percentages, ±6% for area percentages).

Over 370K Grade 7 students receive government subsidy in SY 2012-2013

(PRESS RELEASE) 

The Department of Education has increased by 98% the education service contracting slots for incoming Grade 7 students who wish to continue their secondary education in private schools owing to congestion in public schools.

Education Secretary Br. Armin A. Luistro FSC said the number of slots has increased from 190,536 in School Year 2011-2012 to 377,227 slots this school year under the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (GASTPE) program. “We allotted more slots for Grade 7 (First Year High School) students to give more students a chance to enter high school and finish their basic education,” he added.

The amount of grant has likewise increased from P5,500 to P6,500 for First Year Education Service Contracting (ESC) grantees outside of the National Capital Region starting School Year 2012-2013.

As contained in DepEd Memo 94 s. 2012, the increase in the number of slots was based on need, given the normal carrying capacity of public secondary schools. For Luzon, the slots increased from 101,520 last year to 223,781 this year; from 39,035 last year to 74,106 slots this year for Visayas; and from 49,981 to 79,341 slots in Mindanao for this school year.

GASTPE subsidizes the tuition fees of students who enroll in private high schools in lieu of public high schools because the latter can no longer accommodate them.

The Regional Program Committee of GASTPE is responsible for the distribution of the Grade 7 ESC slots in each participating school on the basis of need and on the school’s demonstrated capacity to utilize slots previously allotted to them.

Luistro said a report on the distribution and utilization of the ESC slots must be forwarded to the DepEd Central Office on or before June 30, 2012.

SPED to follow K to 12 curriculum

(PRESS RELEASE) 

Children with special needs (CSNs) will follow the same K to 12 curriculum just like regular learners but teachers will have to introduce some modifications to suit their unique learning needs.

Education Secretary Armin A. Luistro FSC, who himself handled children with special needs during his early teaching days, said Special Education (SPED) is always a part of regular education and as such, it follows the regular basic learning competencies. As part of the government’s inclusive education program, all children, regardless of learning disability, should be subscribing to the regular curriculum in school.

“It just so happens that they have special needs, thus, we have to give them special attention. This entails a little adjustment and accommodation from our teachers,” explained Luistro.

Luistro is referring to  learners whose learning  disabilities include  speech defect, visual and hearing impairment or high functioning individuals who may have autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), those with problems with mobility and other physical and learning conditions.

The accommodation and modification, according to Luistro, will be in the form of adaptation, augmentation or alteration of the regular competencies. “For example if some learners cannot keep pace with the number of days a certain competency should be learned, the teacher may have to extend the learning days or devise creative ways to achieve the desired learning competencies,” added Luistro.

He pointed out that the competencies can be further broken down into smaller tasks to suit the ability, capability and needs of the CSNs.

On the other hand, for children in the gifted class, accommodation can be done by providing competencies which are over and beyond the regular curriculum. “If our gifted children can do more, we should provide the kind of environment that is conducive to their learning pace. This will help bring out the best in them some more,” Luistro said.

DepEd, beginning this school year, has started to implement the K to 12 curriculum for Grade 1 and Grade 7 pupils/students in all public elementary and secondary schools nationwide. In 2011, the Universal Kindergarten was rolled- out to formally introduce K to 12 in the Basic Education Program.