EVERY public elementary, secondary, and senior high school in Central Visayas and the rest of the country will soon have its school information coordinator (SIC) to facilitate information from the schools to the national level.

SICs are counterparts of the division and regional information officers, according to a Department of Education (DepEd) memorandum that Education Secretary Leonor Briones signed on April 5, 2021.

“They will assist and act as focal persons in verifying and addressing issues and concerns raised by the public and the media involving their school or area,” said DepEd.

SICs will also verify information based on protocols, data privacy, and confidentiality and submit reports of “untoward incidents” in their areas to DepEd’s central office within 24 hours.

They will also support their school, division, and regional office in responding to media queries and coordinating official statements on local issues.

DepEd requires SICs to be holding a teaching or non-teaching position in the school, with at least two years’ employment under DepEd, with the ability to communicate and write well, and have good public relations skills. (NRC)