Monday, May 12, 2008 Lorenzo E. Mendoza The Scribe's Corner
DIRECTOR'S Cut: (This portion features the thoughts of DepEd-11 regional director Susana Teresa B. Estigoy to all stakeholders and recipients of the efforts to improve the basic education)
"We hope to finally give a face to every child in school for we know every child has his needs, has his own individual uniqueness, has his own dreams... and we cannot allow economic deprivation as a reason for him to fail in achieving these, for when he fails, we also fail in our task. We have to see them as graduates in the years to come-products of our efforts to uphold and live true to our battlecry: "Ituloy ang karunungan laban sa kahirapan!"
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DepEd-11 did it again in a national search! Romulo N. Peralta, a classroom teacher and school paper adviser from Calinan National High School, Division of Davao City took home the prestigious "Natatanging Guro sa Filipino, Antas ng Sekondarya" (Most Outstanding Teacher in Filipino, Secondary Level).
She was awarded in the recently concluded national search sponsored by the Pambansang Samahan ng mga Tagamasid at Tagapagtaguyod ng Filipino (Pasataf) during its Annual Convention held at Teachers' Camp, Baguio City on May 5-8, 2008.
The more or less 1,600 delegates of the said national activity had witnessed the awarding of Peralta.
Peralta demonstrated a teaching strategy inspired by the Basic Education Assistance for Mindanao (Beam).
Peralta, who was previously awarded as DepEd 11 Outstanding Teacher in Filipino bested nine other aspirants who represented the different regions in the country.
It was the first time that Pasataf had recognized excellent teachers of Filipino subject so Peralta and the two other winners established a historical feat for being the first ever awardees of the search which according to the newly elected officers of Pasataf will already be incorporated in its annual convention every summer.
The aspirants of the search were adjudged based on the following criteria: Personality and Attitude -- 7%; Educational Attainment -- 3%; Outstanding Accomplishments -- 40%; Teaching Performance -- 5%; Professional Development -- 5%, and Demonstration Teaching -- 40%. The winners received a trophy and P5,000 each.
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DepEd Order No. 19 s. 2008 spelled out the No Collection Policy of the Department of Education.
Education is free but the Parents-Teachers and Community Association (PTCA) is not prohibited to collect funds for the organization provided a financial report has been submitted prior to the collection and that the items and the amount to be collected are approved by majority of its members during a general assembly.
The order even enumerated the following as authorized but voluntary contributions: BSP, GSP, Red Cross, Anti-TB Fund and PTCA.
Furthermore, the policy on no collection suggests that a table for registration without asking any fee shall be the first station to go for students and parents who are enrolling. After enrolling, the students or parents may proceed to another table or station collecting the enumerated authorized contributions.
The policy is pursuant to the constitutional mandate for the provision of free public education at the elementary and secondary levels and to meet the country's targets in the Education for All (EFA) Plan 2015 and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) with respect to primary school participation.
It says that there is an urgent need to remove obstacles to the enrolment of school-age children. These obstacles include the out-of-pocket costs which families have to bear in the course of sending their children to school.
On the other hand, education, being a responsibility of all the stakeholders must really be shared by all stakeholders including the parents. Aside from encouraging their children to go to school during school days, providing their needs at home, especially, the time to study and review their lessons, there is also a need for them to see to it that they also share the responsibility with the teachers, local government officials, GO's, NGO's, PO's and other philanthropists to give every child a face in school.
Therefore, parents should not totally give the responsibility to the other stakeholders in making sure that their children are enjoying a life worth of calling it a school. There are other activities, programs and projects that need parents social, physical and financial support and a well established, well governed, committed and functional PTCA's will spell a difference in our motto for quality education -- "Ituloy ang karunungan laban sa kahirapan!"
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Tulong Barya Para sa Eskwela (TBPSE), a coin collection and donation campaign from July 3-December 31 last year, met its twin objectives of promoting coin recirculation and raising funds for the benefits of public elementary schools.
This year, TBPSE Part II will be spearheaded by the Adopt-a-School Program (ASP) Secretariat in collaboration with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and other implementing partners that include the Bankers Association of the Philippines (BAP), the Chamber of Thrift Banks (CTB), the Rural Bankers Association of the Philippines (RBAP), the Bank Marketing Association of the Philippines (BMAP) and the Philippine Retailers Association (PRA).
The coin collection campaign shall run from March 3 to December 31, 2008. All public schools are encouraged to support and participate. However, the campaign is also open to private schools, colleges, universities, business establishments and government agencies who want to join.
Therefore, if you see cans with a label "Tulong Barya Para sa Eskwela," please don't hesitate to drop a coin or two and give your share in making the life of our children in school especially in depressed areas worth living.
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You can access DepEd Updates, latest issuances and other relevant information through our website: http://www.region11.deped.gov.ph.
