Monday, October 13, 2008 Shaping the child's mind, character By Lorenzo E. Mendoza The Scribe's Corner
DIRECTOR'S Cut: (This portion features the thoughts of Deped 11 Regional Director Susana Teresa B. Estigoy, CESO IV, for all stakeholders and recipients of the efforts to improve the basic education.)
We are about to end the first five months of school year 2008-2009.
We are now looking forward to the last five months of our 10-month journey this year in implementing the programs and projects we have conceived for the delivery of basic education to the thousands of children in the public schools, at the same time collaborating with private schools engaged in pre-school, elementary, and secondary education.
As we end the first five months, let us take time to reflect on everything that transpired from June to October, 2008, for us to acquire clearer directions on how and when to do things better in the coming last five months. Let us try to ask these basic questions: 1. What happened? 2. How did it happen? and 3. Why did it happen?
Let us, individually and in teams, seek answers to these questions – the real answers, whether pleasing or not, as we can only do better when we shall not only celebrate successes but also learn to accept our weaknesses.
As what one management author has said, we are to reflect on what we have done to find reasons to either rejoice or improve, not to enumerate justifications for our failures, and more so, to blame or criticize anybody.
Let us, instead, build on the honest answers to the above questions to usher in better if not the best ways to achieve desired results.
We may have only little time left to rectify our failures this year, but let us remember that if change is indeed necessary, every second used to put this in place can result in timeless benefits to the children that we serve.
May we all be inspired with the thought that we are in a kind of work that provides us with opportunities to shape the minds and characters of leaders and community members of the future. This alone is already one big reason for us to be proud of our work, of our profession, and of our selves!!!
We have to continually examine what succeeds and fails, and why. We have to uphold and live true to our battle cry: "Ituloy ang Karunungan, Labanan ang Kahirapan!"
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Deped Secretary Jesli A. Lapus through Deped Order 61, s. 2008 directed all Deped personnel in the field to comply with all the Deped Orders issued.
Lapus added that all Deped orders relevant to equity and access to basic education are issued to comply with the provisions of the Constitution. Some important stipulations in these orders had been reiterated time and again for emphasis on its compliance.
The Deped chief noted that reports and complaints still reach his Office, which may reflect negligence of responsibility and accountability of concerned officials.
In view of this, the Department of Education issues the order to emphasize the call for strict adherence to the provision of Section 3, Batas Pambansa Bilang 232, to wit: The state shall promote the right of every individual to relevant quality education, regardless of sex, age, creed, socio-economic status, physical and mental conditions, racial or ethnic origin, political or other affiliation. The state shall therefore promote and maintain equality of success to education as well as the enjoyment of the benefits of education by all citizens.
Likewise, strong adherence to all issued Deped Orders particularly the general guidelines for the opening of classes stipulated in Deped Order 40, s. 2008 is also emphasized specifically on 6-year-old children who are eligible for enrolment to Grade I.
All education officials at all levels are instructed to take immediate measures to implement this directive as this is in consonance with Deped initiatives toward Education for All (EFA) and in accordance with the Millennium Development Goals (MDG).
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You can access Deped updates, latest issuances, and other relevant information through our website: http://www.region11.deped.gov.ph. For comments, suggestions and/or contributions, email me at renzthescribe@yahoo.com. or visit http://renzmendoza.multiply.com for photos and other relevant information. For queries, complains and other concerns, call Deped Region 11 at (082) 227-9342 or fax to (082) 227-1102.
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Mr. Lorenzo E. Mendoza, M.A. is the Regional Supervisor in Filipino for Secondary and the Regional Information and Media Officer of Deped Region 11 and currently designated as Regional Library Hub Coordinator.
