SECRETARY Leonor M. Briones sent her warmest greetings and congratulations to the foremost champions of this momentous occasion — the completers and graduates of School Year 2018-2019!
Briones said that graduation and moving-up ceremonies are indeed a joyous celebration, and not only because it culminates another year of learning and discovery, perseverance, and passionate work among our learners. It also caps off another year of successful collaboration among parents, teachers, education officials and personnel, community members, partners, and stakeholders of diverse roots, cultures, and traditions.
She continued that this year’s theme, “Unity in Diversity: Quality Education for All,” speaks of our commitment and loyalty to our culture—diverse as it is—that reflects our soul and unites our people. Time and again, we have proven that regardless of our descent, status, ethnicity, and religious and political beliefs, we can unite towards the realization of a common goal—the delivery of quality, accessible, relevant, and liberating basic education for the Filipino learners.
While the Department of Education (DepEd) has carried on and embraced change amid technological advancements and the continuously shifting socio-economic landscape, it commits itself to the holistic development of 21st century learners who are not only critical and innovative thinkers in the fields of science, mathematics, and robotics, but who are also artistic and creative, and can thrive in the fields that appeal to our soul and our sense of identity.
Briones concluded that rest assured that through the K to 12 Basic Education Program, DepEd shall strive to hone our future leaders and nation-builders in a society that embraces diversity and all its challenges and advantages. I am positive that whatever path they wish to pursue hereafter, our graduates and completers will continuously enrich what makes up the Filipino soul—our culture, talent, history, and capacity to survive.
In his message, DepEd 11 Regional Director Alberto T. Escobarte, CESO III states that learning in school is full of challenges and difficulties that sometimes affect the meeting of standards of Knowledge, Skills, Attitudes and Values. Nevertheless, pivotal in the process of transformation are the teachers and school heads who demonstrated commitment to help learners overcome those challenges and reach coveted success.
Escobarte addressed the learners, who are the at heart of this milestone, to continue to be the creator of their own transformation and be proud to retell their own culture, history, family, community and country of the wonderful impact as they connect to the real world. The DepED Regional Office XI will be happy to hear the learner’s narratives of triumphs as manifestation of our aspiration to make Davao Region as top-notch in nurturing and developing 21st century learners through inclusive education anchored on our core values of EAGLE such as Empowerment, Adaptability, Goal–Oriented, Leadership and Excellence.
This corner hopes that 2019 graduates will be able to see the bright side of life as they continue to make this world a better place to live in.