The Best of 2007: Celebrating people, places and events through the EducNews
By Maribel Cabasal

          It is time to celebrate! EducNews has chosen to highlight the best of 2007. We have specially picked the events and people whose impact have affected the department in the past 12 months. We hope not only to inspire you, our readers, but also to thank you for your support.

          In this special issue, we have selected achievements and milestones, which have made DepEd a dynamic institution responsive to the needs of the nation.

DEPED HOLDS FIRST NATIONAL CAREER ASSESSMENT TEST
          Some 1.8 million fourth year high school students in 13,000 public and private schools and out of school youths took the first ever National Career Assessment Examination (NCAE) in January 17. (EducNews, January 2007)

DEPED AVAILS OF LANDBANK eCARD
          The Department of Education joined the growing list of government agencies and corporations which availed of the Landbank eCard, the latest product of the Landbank of the Philippines. 
  
          The eCard will allow the more than 1,500 employees to withdraw their salaries through any Landbank automated teller machines (ATMs) and Expressnet, Megalink and bancnet ATMs nationwide. (EducNews, January 2007)

470,000 GOV'T TEACHERS TO DO POLL DUTIES
          Some 470,000 public school teachers served during the senatorial and local elections on May 14.

          The DepEd Election Task Force headed by Undersecretary for Regional Operations Ramon Bacani and Undersecretary for Legal and Legislative Affairs Franklin Sunga took charge in the orderly management and operations of the elections. (EducNews, February 2007)

PINOY STUDENTS SHINE IN INT'L SCI-MATH OLYMPIAD
          Twelve Filipino students in public and private elementary schools brought honor to the country by winning in the 2006 3rd International Mathematics and Science Olympiad (IMSO) held in Jakarta, Indonesia. (EducNews, February 2007)

VP NOLI DE CASTRO, SECRETARY LAPUS AWARD 10 OUTSTANDING STUDENTS
          Vice President Noli De Castro and Secretary Jesli Lapus conferred the Vice President’s Academic Excellence and Exemplary Leadership Awards to Ten Outstanding Public School Students (TOPS) at the Heroes Hall, Malacañang last March 23.(EducNews, March 2007)

STRENGTHENED TECH-VOC TO START IN JUNE
          The DepED will start the strengthened technical-vocational education with an initial of 148 of the 261 vocational high schools in the country. The department has allotted P200 million for the upgrading of the schools. (EducNews, April 2007)

PALARONG PAMBANSA OPENS
          Palarong Pambansa, the annual multi-level national scholastic athletic competition conducted by DepEd opened on April 22 at the South Cotabato Sports Complex in Koronadal City.

          A total of 376 athletes from the elementary and secondary levels competed in this year’s games. (EducNews, April 2007)

SECRETARY LAPUS HAILS TEACHERS' ELECTION PERFORMANCE
          Secretary Jesli Lapus extolled teachers for what he described as their exceptional performance during the recent midterm elections.

          Secretary Lapus also stressed the need for electoral reforms as part of DepEd’s efforts to advance teachers’ welfare.(EducNews, May 2007)

MALAYA IS DEPED'S NEW ASSISTANT SECRETARY                   
          Jonathan Malaya, chief of staff to former Education Secretary Florencio Abad and the son of a retired division superintendent, is now the department’s assistant secretary. (EducNews, May 2007)

DEPED NAMES INCIONG AS NEW ASSISTANT SECRETARY
          The Department of Education has announced the appointment of Dr. Teresita Inciong as assistant secretary for programs and projects, vice Dr. Vilma Labrador who was promoted undersecretary for programs and projects of the department. (EducNews, May 2007)

SECRETARY LAPUS REPORTS SMOOTH SCHOOL OPENING
          Education Secretary Jesli Lapus reported that school opening throughout the country was generally smooth and orderly on the first day of classes of school year 2007 to 2008.(EducNews, June 2007)

DEPED CONDUCTS REHABILITATION PROGRAM IN DISASTER AFFECTED AREAS
          The Department of Education, through its School Health and Nutrition Center (SHNC) has provided rehabilitation services in disaster affected areas in Bicol region during the first semester of this year.

          A psycho-social intervention (PSI) and critical incident stress debriefing (CISD) were conducted to a total of 9,893 teachers and non-teaching personnel in the divisions of Albay, Sorsogon, Sorsogon City, Catanduanes, Tabaco City, Ligao City, Legaspi City and Camarines Sur .  
          Health services were also given to 13,547 schoolchildren by school health personnel at evacuation centers in Albay, Ligao City, and Legaspi City. (EducNews, July 2007)

PGMA VOWS TO SUPPORT RP EDUCATION
          President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo vowed to improve and modernize the country’s educational system before the end of her term in 2010.

          Before the start of a roundable discussion in Malacañang that focused on education for competiveness, productivity and poverty alleviation, the President revealed that the government increased the budget allocation of the Department of Education to P150 billion  this year from P129 billion in 2006 in an effort to modernize the educational system.(EducNews, July 2007)

LABRADOR RELEASES DOH-BFAD ADVISORY ON CHINESE FOOD PRODUCTS
          Undersecretary for Programs and Projects Vilma Labrador releases Memorandum No. 314 based on a DOH-BFAD Advisory which bans certain Chinese food products laced with formaldehyde, a cancer-causing substance.(EducNews, August 2007)

MADRASAH PROGRAM PROVIDES QUALITY EDUCATION TO MUSLIM SCHOOLCHILDREN
          The Department of Education is stepping up its efforts to provide quality education to Muslim public schoolchildren through the Madrasah Program.

          The Muslim-friendly curriculum is being implemented in grades 1 and 2, affecting 52 classes on a total of 1,814 Muslim students in selected public schools around Metro Manila, where large Muslim communities reside.(EducNews, August 2007)

METROBANK AWARDS OUTSTANDING TEACHERS
          President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Education Secretary Jesli Lapus led other officials in conferring gold medallions to the ten winners of the 2007 Metrobank Foundation Search for Outstanding Teachers in ceremonies held in Malacañang Palace on September 5.

          Four teachers each from the elementary and secondary levels and two college teachers from public and private institutions joined the illustrious list of Metrobank-teacher honorees which now number to 265 since the award was given out in 1965. (Educnews, September 2007)

SPECIAL EDUCATION MARKS 100 YEARS OF SERVICE TO FILIPINOS
          Special Education (SPED) in the Philippines celebrates its centennial anniversary this year with activities that focus on its pioneering efforts to minister to the educational needs to students who require special attention.

          December marks the International Year of the Disabled where a grand celebration of the 100 years of SPED in the Philippines will be held. Its highlight is a "Tribute to Pioneers in SPED“ and "Friends of Special Children.” (EducNews, October 2007)

PHILIPPINES 'MEGA TOOTHBRUSHING DRILL' ENTERS GUINNESS WORLD RECORD
          The country has beaten the record of China’s Largest One Time Toothbrushing Activity by over 300 percent thus making it to the Guiness World Record.

          The new world record holder, "Super Mega Toothbrushing Drill of the Philippines gathered simultaneously some 41,000 grades 4, 5 and 6 pupils from Manila, Davao and Cebu in February 2007 setting the record "Most People Brushing their Teeth in Multiple Venues.”  China’s entry had 10,420 students.(EducNews, October 2007)

8 FILIPINO KIDS WIN IN ASIAN ART CONTEST
          Eight Filipino grade schoolers - with one winning the Grand Prix - won in the Mitsubishi Asian Children’s Enniki Festa on illustrated  diary art contest held in Tokyo, Japan.

          The contest theme, "Here is my Life,” depicted the activity of the young artists in five pages of drawings and written essay in Filipino.(EducNews, October 2007)

RP WINS UNESCO BOARD SEAT
          Education Secretary Jesli Lapus was elected to the highest policy – making body, the Executive Board, of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)  at the midpoint of the biennial 34th General Conference in Paris, France. The Philippines will serve a four year term.

          Secretary Lapus’s candidacy was boosted by his strong audit and financial management background. (EducNews, October 2007)

UNIONBANK DONATES P100 M FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS
          UnionBank of the Philippines has earmarked P100 million for their "As a Filipino Project“ as part of the Department of Education’s Adopt-A-School Program.

          This was announced by UnionBank chairman and CEO Justo Ortiz at the As a Filipino Teachers’ Congress held last October 24 to 25 at the Philippine International Convention Center. (EducNews, October 2007).

DEPED INTEGRATES CONSUMERISM IN CURRICULUM
          In an effort to strengthen and protect the interest of the consuming public, the Department of Education will integrate consumer education in the curricula of all public and private schools from primary to secondary levels. This move is in compliance with Article 154 of the Consumer Welfare Act of the Philippines. (EducNews, October 2007).

DEPED HOLDS NAT'L LITERACY CONFERENCE IN MANILA
          One of the year’s most anticipated events in the academic community, the National Literacy Conference gathered some 280 literacy advocates at the Grand Boulevard Hotel, Manila recently.  The three-day conference aimed to recognize the critical link between functional literacy and health status towards a healthy Philippines. (EducNews, November 2007)

NATIONAL LITERACY AWARDS RESUMES IN 2008
          Undersecretary for Regional Operations and Literacy Coordinating Council (LCC) Chairperson Ramon Bacani announced the resumption of the department’s National Literacy Awards during the National Literacy Conference held recently. (EducNews, November 2007).

          President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Secretary Jesli Lapus relaunched the nationwide Christmas outreach program dubbed "Tuloy ang Pasko ng mga Bata” at the Department of Education Bulwagan ng Karunungan on December 19.
          Preschoolers, grades 1 to 4 pupils, working children, Muslims and children with development disabilities including the deaf and blind coming from the fifth and sixth class municipalities and children in calamity-affected areas were given a pack of groceries, educational toys, school supplies and reading materials.
          According to Secretary Jesli Lapus, the project seeks to brighten the holiday season of children in the poorest communities of the country in the atmosphere of total giving and generosity.
“Christmas is for children. Let us make them happy by sharing whatever we could this Christmas,” the Secretary said.
          There were parlor games, competitions related to the season, gift giving and entertainment during the program.
          The education chief sent Memorandum No. 478 ordering the central office and field offices to take part in the program aimed at highlighting the Filipinos’ Christmas practices such as gift-giving in their areas of jurisdiction. A medical and dental outreach was also held on December 17 to 21 in all districts.
          The "Tuloy and Pasko ng mga Bata,” was initially conceptualized and launched last year to share the joys of Christmas with children in areas affected by successive typhoons and environment destruction in Bicol, Marinduque, Mindoro, Aklan, Antique, Guimaras, Leyte and Samar.
          Its components were gift-giving activities, medical and dental service and entertainment events.

          Undersecretary Ramon Bacani urges the public to watch  “Sining Gising": Ugnayan ng DepEd at NCAA sa Tinig ng Bayan aired over NBN Channel 4 every Sunday at 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. which features arts, culture and education.

          The show is hosted by Elizabeth Raymundo of the Philippine Broadcasting Service with National Commission on Culture and Arts (NCCA) Executive Director Cecile Guidote-Alvarez as moderator.

          "The TV program is a training center and a national creative classroom highlighting topics on culture, arts, broadcast theater and media arts," Bacani said in a memorandum to field officials.

          With a delayed broadcast to Filipino community in Africa, the Gulf Region, Europe and the United States of America, the show also features various artists and performing arts groups throughout the regions that can engender pride of habitat, heritage, history, language, and sensitivity to social conditions.

          Two segments have been allotted to the Department of Education to share its programs particularly in culture, arts and other initiatives related to education, featuring harvest of talents in different disciplines of the arts in the public school system.

          Assistant Secretary for Special Projects Jonathan Malaya is the executive in-charge of all activities in connection with this television program.

          To provide supervisory and management skills to technical-vocational school heads nationwide, a department Management/Instructional Leadership Training Program was conducted by the Technical-Vocational Education Task Force recently.

          The training was done in five clusters: region 1 and 2 had their training at RELC, region 1 on November 19 to 23; region 3 and the Cordillera Administrative Region conducted their training at Teachers Camp, Baguio City on November 26 to 30; region 8 trained the school heads at RELC, Tacloban on December 3 to 7; regions 4-A, 4-B, 5, 12, 13 and the National Capital Region had their training at Marikina Hotel on December 10 to 14; and regions 6, 7,9, 10 and 11 had their training at Cebu City on December 17 to 21.

          According to Dr. Ricardo de Lumen, officer in charge of the Technical Vocational Education Task Force, human resource trainings are needed to strengthen the technical-vocational program in the country.

          "Our technical-vocational school heads must be trained for the pilot implementation of the Competency-based Curriculum (CBC) in their secondary schools," de Lumen said.

          The CBC includes the following 18 priority subject areas: animal production, agricultural crop production, horticulture, fish capture, aqua culture, food processing, auto servicing, carpentry, technical drawing/drafting, building wiring installation, consumer electrical servicing, shielded metal arc welding, furniture and cabinet making, auto servicing, and machining which include metal craft and welding.

          Earlier this year, workshops were given to tech-voc teachers to upgrade their skills and equip them with the needed tools to handle the job. The teacher-participants were given certificates after the training-workshop.

          Secretary Jesli Lapus ordered all schools to renew efforts in strengthening respect and allegiance to the flag.

          "A badly-faded and tattered flag is disallowed to fly in any school or office," the Secretary said.

          "DepEd likewise, discourages the use of canned music during flag raising and retreat ceremonies," Secretary Lapus added.

          "Nakakahiya tayong mga Pilipino lalo na sa world events kung nakakalimutan natin ang lyrics ng ating Pambansang Awit," the education chief stressed.

          The secretary directed the department officials to observe Republic Act No. 8491 known as the "Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines" to comply with the instructions on the proper display and use of the flag.

          He also instructed field officials to institute appropriate sanctions on erring institutions or personnel.

          Jesus Lorenzo R. Mateo, director III of the Educational Development Project and Implementing Task Force (EDPITAF) is now the department’s Assistant Secretary for Planning Service vice Lilia Z. Roces. Dr. Mateo’s appointment papers were signed by Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on November 15, 2007.

          Mr. Mateo is best qualified to assume the duties and responsibilities of the position given his outstanding performance, experience and leadership qualities. He was designated officer-in-charge of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning on May 29, 2007. He was first appointed project development officer II at EDPITAF before his promotion as project development officer III and IV at the Office of the Planning Service (OPS) in 1991 and 1997. He was on secondment as deputy project manager of the Third Elementary Education Project (TEEP) of the department in 1999. He was reinstated at the OPS in 2001 and was promoted as director III of EDPITAF on March 1, 2003.

          Assistant Secretary Mateo finished AB Philosophy at the University of the Philippines in 1973. He pursued his master of arts in public administration in the same university in 2002. He studied his master of arts in business, major in government and business management at Victoria University, Australia in 2003. He participated in international workshops such as the Regional School Leadership Workshop conducted by the British Council and Malaysian Ministry of Education in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Public-Private Partnership in the Social Sector by the Asian Development Bank Institute in Tokyo, Japan; and the Workshop for Training of Trainers on Pedagogical Strategies for Improving Primary Education by UNICEF Regional Office for Latin America and the Carribean, Armenia and Columbia, as well as those conducted in the Philippines by international and local institutions.

          Assistant Secretary Mateo vowed to continue serving in DepEd: “I will work to the best of my ability and deliver the best service possible,” he said. (MPC)

          Yolanda Quijano, assistant director of the Bureau of Elementary Education was promoted the bureau's director IV on October 30, vice Dr. Teresita Inciong who was promoted assistant secretary for programs and projects of the department.

          Dr. Quijano rose from the ranks starting as elementary grades teacher in 1967 at the Division of Leyte, a position she held for 15 years. In 1982, she became assistant educational researcher at the Special Education Division of the department. She was promoted educational researcher I and II in 1984 and 1986, respectively, before her promotion as senior education program specialist in 1988. She was appointed supervising education program specialist in 1995 and later became chief education program specialist in 1997.

          Prior to her designation as director IV, she was appointed director III of the Bureau of Elementary Education on June 6, 2002. She was assigned deputy project manager of the Third Education Project (TEEP), from 2001 to January 2006, which was intended to improve the quality of elementary education. Through her leadership, the project was a success and has improved the learning achievements, completion rates and access to quality elementary education in different provinces.

          Director Quijano comes excellently prepared for the job, having obtained a doctorate degree in education, master of arts in special education and graduate certificate in special education all at the Philippine Normal University. She finished her bachelor of science in elementary education at Leyte Normal School.

          She had numerous trainings in special education and in educational management.  She was a recipient of scholarship awards the International Course in Special Education of Deaf Children and Deaf Children with Multiple Handicaps in the Netherlands, and the Public Management Development Program in Connecticut, USA, among others.

          She has participated in international workshops, conferences and study tours like the Workshop on Developing and Managing Teachers for Better Education Outcomes held in Beijing, China in 2007; the Study Tour on School-Based Management by the University of Birmingham, United Kingdom in 2006; the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO UNESCO) Education Congress and Expo in Bangkok, Thailand in 2004; and the ICEVI East Asia Regional Assembly held at Shanghai, China in 2001.

          Dr. Quijano was often invited as speaker, lecturer and participant to local and international fora, seminars and conferences.

          A brilliant educator, she was awarded first place in the Second School's Superintendent Licensure Examination in 1997.

          A writer and researcher, Director Quijano has written numerous articles published here and abroad. (MPC)

          Driven, thorough, can easily shift from micro to macro and with an eye for detail-traits that make Milagros Talinio an achiever that she is. These are the same qualities that she needs as the new director of the Office of the Planning Service (OPS). It makes sense. Who is better to head the OPS than its former officer in charge?

          Talinio, 46,  is a certified public accountant and a product of the Adamson University. She pursued her master in public management at the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) as a Civil Service scholar after passing a rigid selection process. Note that she is the only one from DepEd central office who has satisfied the three level-selection criteria employed by DAP.

          Director Talinio has kept a low profile but has delivered in not a few of the most demanding jobs in DepEd: to take charge in the department's annual budget preparation and defense in tandem with Finance and Management Service-Budget Division Chief, Armando Ruiz; the department's rationalization plan; a procurement officer of the Instructional Materials Council Secretariat (IMCS); and head of then DECS Pre/Post qualification, Bids and Awards Committee-Technical Secretariat.

          She rose from the ranks -first joined the government service in 1978 as a steno-typist of EDPIT AF while a working high school student at the Philippine College of Commerce (PCC) now Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), became project assistant, planning analyst and a project officer in 1983. She was subsequently appointed project development officer 2 and 3 and then became the senior education program specialist in the OPS-Project Development and Evaluation Division, before her promotion as project development officer 5 at IMCS in 1999. Prior to her designation as director, she was designated officer-in-charge of the OPS-Planning Programming Division in 2002.

          Especially popular about Ma'am Mila (or simply, Mila) is her fondness for singing and playing volleyball during sports competitions in one hand, and her hands on management style on the other. Gone is the traditional distance between top level executives and staff. She has shown flexibility and teamwork with her staff and co-workers at DepEd. Thus far, she seems to be the only director who almost everybody in the DepEd can relate to without hesitation - from security guards and janitors to clerks and division chiefs, to the secretary and all of his undersecretaries and assistant secretaries.

          Director Talinio vowed to continue doing her job in DepEd: “Basta ako, trabaho kung trabaho… laro kung laro.”

          Very well said, Ma'am Mila. You are truly a leader and a worker.

          The search for 2007 outstanding employees (non-teaching staff) at the Department of Education (DepEd) central office ended with the proclamation of Ofelia Eustaquio, Curriculum Development Division, Bureau of Elementary Education for level two and Dorothy Nuñez, Office of the Director, Health and Nutrition Center (HNC) for level one as winners.

          Both winners brought home a P15,000 cash price and a plaque of appreciation. Eustaquio and Nuñez were recognized for their exemplary service and sustained work performance over and above the normal requirement of their positions.

          “I believe that in everything you do, give your best,” Eustaquio said when asked what is her secret in winning the award.   “I don’t look at remuneration. I just do my work because I enjoy it,” she added.

          The finalists include Jose Tuguinayo, Jr., Curriculum Development Division, Bureau of Secondary Education and Ma. Theresa Bacud, HNC received P10,000 each and individual plaques of recognition. 

          Under the Department’s Program on Awards and Incentives for Service Excellence (PRAISE), the award is open to personnel both from the first and second levels positions. 

          The first level includes clerical, trades, crafts and custodial service positions that involve duties requiring less than fours years of collegiate studies and in a supervisory or non-supervisory capacity. The positions under the second level consist of professional, technical or scientific work in a supervisory or non-supervisory capacity requiring at least four years of college work up to division chief level.

          In an office memorandum, Undersecretary for Finance and Administration Teodosio Sangil stressed that “only one nominee from each bureau, service, or center for each level is allowed. Nominations were duly signed by the head of office.”

          Prizes were given out during the department’s Christmas program.

          The annual National Schools Press Conference (NSPC) for public and private elementary and secondary schools will be held in Koronadal City, South Cotabato on February 18 to 22, 2008, as announced in DepEd Memorandum No. 480, s. 2007.

          This year’s theme is “Promoting Consumers’ Rights through Campus Journalism.”  It aims to build awareness of consumer rights and responsibilities among the participants; enrich students’ journalistic learning experience as they focus on issues affecting the consumers and; enhance journalism competencies of campus journalists through friendly individual and group competitions.

          Over 6,000 student writers, school paper advisers and personnel from the division, region and central office are expected to participate in this year’s NSPC.

          According to Director Lolita Andrada of the Bureau of Secondary Education (BSE) and NSPC National Chair, the student writers who will participate in this national activity are among the best in the country.  "They have gone through the rigid screening process conducted in the district, division and regional levels, thus qualifying them to compete in the national finals,” Andrada said.

          The final stage of the competition will test the mettle of the campus journalists in seven individual contest categories in English and Filipino at the elementary and secondary levels namely: copyreading and headline writing, sports writing, feature writing, news writing, editorial writing, photo journalism and editorial cartooning.

          The regional team of seven members for the scriptwriting and radio broadcasting contests will be selected from among the winners in the abovementioned seven contest categories of the individual writing contests.

          Similarly, the judging for the group contest in English and Filipino in the following categories, namely: editorial page (pahinang editoryal), feature or literary page (pahinang lathalain), news page (pahinang balita), sports page (pahinang pampalakasan) and layout design (pag-aanyo) will be held on January 31, 2008 for secondary level and February 1, 2008 for elementary level at the Bulwagan ng Karunungan, DepEd Complex, Pasig City.

          "This year, we will be giving individual awards to the best news script, best infomercial, best news presenter and best anchor in the Filipino and English categories for both the elementary and secondary level journalists,” Director Yolanda Quijano of the Bureau of Elementary Education (BEE) said.

          The best group for radio broadcasting and technical application will also be given awards.

          The NSPC is a continuing program of the department to promote campus journalism in public and private schools in pursuant to Republic Act 7079, otherwise known as the Campus Journalism Act of 1991.

          A total of 7,500 participants attended in last year’s NSPC at the Teachers Camp, Baguio City. It was chaired by then BEE Director, Teresita Inciong and was co-chaired by BSE Director Lolita Andrada.

          “In the very words of Secretary Jesli Lapus, manning the DepEd requires him to have an inhuman workload. “I have 20 million students to take care of, 43,000 schools to look after and 517,515 employees to listen to.

          A part of the economic team of former President’s Corazon Aquino, Fidel Ramos and now Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Secretary Lapus was offered to head the Sycip, Gorres and Velayo (SGV) accounting firm, the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), the Department of Trade and Industry and even the Commission on Audit (COA). However, he declined all the offers. “Dealing with financial resources is a tough job and heading the DepEd, the factory of human resources is tougher. However, manning the DepEd is the most fulfilling job,” he says.

          To paraphrase the Secretary, “the department’s mission is to prepare the next generation for life, and the future of the country is dependent on how we educate and nurture our people. Being the largest in size and widest in scope, the task can be daunting.”

          But what has he done “daunting” and “fulfilling” at DepEd? Topmost in the Secretary’s mind has always been proper financing for the department. Hence, the government infused a bigger budget to improve basic education and to alleviate the economic woes of its employees. This year, the department completed 98 percent of its schoolbuilding projects through President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s Calamity Assistance and Rehabilitation Efforts (CARE); settled almost P 3.4 billion of unpaid insurance and health premiums of its employees; P 400 million was released to partially settle unpaid loyalty pays and step increments to the teachers and workers; the management offered low cost housing to more than 90,000 of its teachers; and hired more teachers and principals nationwide.

          Also in 2007, the nutrition and school attendance of pupils improved through the Food for School Program in which the children were given free fortified rice, noodles and milk. Doubly working for quality education, a tangible increase in the National Achievement Test (NAT) results of its students became a record high; and technical vocational education was strengthened to give more livelihood options to students in case they are unable to pursue four-year courses.

          The 2007, indeed was a productive year. May 2008 be a year of more quality output, bearing in mind the total quality performance and culture of excellence that DepEd has been aspiring for.

          “If a child is always the center of everything the school does, the school head needs to know the child. He has to get to know his family. He has to spend time with them.”

          So says Jerry Arizala, the school principal of Maximo S. Lazaro Elementary School (MSLES) in San Pascual, Masbate. This school’s tale is a turnaround one. Its scores were at the pit when Arizala first took over. Of the 27 schools in the San Pascual District, it took the 27th spot.

          But today, fifteen years later, MSLES has become one of the top 10 schools in the National Elementary Achievement Test in the country and Arizala, is among the ten principals who were recognized as “Most Outstanding School Based-Management (SBM) Implementer,” by the Third Elementary Education Project (TEEP).

          TEEP is the flagship project of the Department of Education (DepEd) to institutionalize SBM in the public school system. This led to school improvement, boosted the confidence and the morale of school heads and teachers, and strengthened the bonds of the schools and communities that support the schools.

          Arizala’s ached as he looked over his school’s dismal performance. He sought to extract the root of the problem. He found that since the teachers were either from Masbate Mainland or Ticao Island, many of them were always late, if not absent in their classes. Worse, most were also lacking dedication and commitment to serve. Residents also did not get involved and even considered themselves passive beneficiaries when they receive development efforts.

          Thus began his and MSLES’ quest towards social change.

          He realized that he needed to relate with three groups of people: the pupils, the teachers, and the community. His ability to harmonize the roles of these schools sub-systems, with the child at the center is the key to the school’s success.

ONE WITH THEM

          Principal Arizala started going house to house to visit all his students, if possible. Conversations become intimate over food so he would chat with the family while dining with them over a plate of boiled banana or camote.

          “If the school head feels at home in the houses of his pupils, the pupils are at home too in their schools. This is because in school, they are free to tell stories with the principal and the teachers.”

          To hone the talents of the children, the school clubs were organized. Dramatic Guild, Glee Club, Baseball, and Basketball teams were formed. Unabashed, Arizala would bring his guitar and snare drums and jam with the kids. He would also join them in folk games like luksong tinik, patintero and the like.

          Arizala also finds the time to be with his teachers. A teacher who turned principal, he feels for them. He facilitated their professional development. He invested time in training them particularly the new teachers. They have stayed with them for ten years now.

          His teachers also joined him for Lakbay-aral to Esteban Abada Elementary School in Quezon City, a model of excellence (MOE) school to shop for possible innovations and instructional materials. In order to bring the best in his teachers, he gives them his full support and respect for their individual teaching styles. He gathered all the instructional materials as well as collecting reviewers from other schools that would benefit MSLES.

          The community took on an active part in school activities as well, from simple activities like preparing food for their Supplemental Feeding Program to complex ones such as helping out in remedial instruction.

          Change is contagious as the community became a close ally of the school in instituting reforms. “At first, my budget was affected because I included my pupils in my meals. But later the parents understood my purpose. The pupils brought with them rice, corn, cassava, banana and camote.”

          He adds,”We relished our meals consisting of fish caught from their “Kitang” (fish net) and sea shells which the pupils gathered from the seashore.”

          When he had all the stakeholders’ attention and more importantly, cooperation, the school’s revival became evident.

BEST PRACTICES

          Eventually MSLES became an Elementary Leader School and had the opportunity to implement Tutorial Reading Improvement Project (TRIP) and the Comprehensive Help for Improved Learning Development (CHILD). These ushered not only the improvement of quality of education but also to the holistic development of the child.

          With TRIP, 145 students identified as slow readers, habitual absentees and non-readers went through various interventions. For a quarter, they participated in reading tutorials every Saturday. Teachers were given financial assistance in the preparation of instructional materials and students were given school supplies. Parents also benefited in this project since they were taught livelihood skills.

          Parents began to imbibe a positive attitude towards education. They started monitoring their children’s performance regularly. They are the ones prodding their children not to miss their classes.

          The school has adapted various strategies in CHILD like Each One Teach One, The One O’ Clock Habit, Educational TV, use of direct learning materials and Lakbay-aral to Esteban Abada Elementary School for the teachers.

          It is vital that the school head rally the stakeholders to his side. All they need to know is that they are agents of change too. The students need to feel that inside the school they are nurtured. Under his leadership the teachers feel empowered. And even the community has come to realize that their support is critical in shaping a school that produces national achievers.

          The grand champions for the Second Rizal National Festival of Excellence have been released by the Department of Education on Rizal Day, December 30.

          The festival covered three areas - Rizal/history quiz contest, oratorical contest and musical theater competition.

          The Rizal/history quiz competition top scorers were Ma. Lourdes Patulot of Dacanlao G. Agoncillo National High School, region 4-A; Elaine Jean Tolentino of Alabel National Science High School, Saranggani Province, region 12; and Richmond Batulan of Dagupan City National High School, Dagupan City, region 1. The three got P25,000, P15,000 and P10,000 cash prizes, respectively.

          The best orator award was conferred to Genesis Valdebiso of Catalino Acosta Memorial Elementary School of Ilocos Norte, region 1 with P20,000 cash prize. The runners up were Potre Leila Menchani Tilendo of Sero Central School, Cotabato City, region 12 with P15,000 cash prize and Queencee Collen Quitalig of Cauayan South Central School, Isabela with P10,000.00 award.

          A P100,000 cash prize was given to the Teatro Bitauang of Magallanes National High School, CARAGA region, for besting other regional contestants in the musical theater competition. Meanwhile, the Tupi National High School Dance and  Theater Company of South Cotabato, region 12 got the second prize with P60,000 cash award and Pablo Roman National High School Performing Groups, Bataan settled third with P40,000 cash prize.

          Luzviminda Dela Rosa, head, Special Events Unit and co-chair, Rizal National Festival for Excellence Technical Working Group said that the activity was a grand convergence of the best orators, best singers and best students in the public and private school system.

          Meanwhile, Assistant Secretary for Special Projects Jonathan Malaya said that the festival was one of the highlights of the 111th anniversary on the martyrdom of Dr. Jose P. Rizal.

          "The DepEd has been at the forefront of promoting the ideals of Dr. Rizal, our national hero, and this festival adds impetus to it," Malaya said. The festival was held in partnership with the Order of the Knights of Rizal (OKOR), the National Historical Institute (NHI) and the Organizational Change Consultants International, Inc. (OCCI).

          Twenty-one fourth year high school students nationwide, 13 of whom came from public schools, obtained ratings of 99% plus in all domain areas namely: general scholastic aptitude, technical-vocational aptitude and entrepreneurial skills in the 2007 National Career Assessment Examination (NCAE), enabling them join the Department of Education's elite Club 99+.

          Only five students made it to the Club 99+ in last year's NCAE.

          Members of this year's Club 99+ are mostly products of the public school system. Of the 21 students who made it to the exclusive club, eight came from national high schools, four were from regional science/science high schools and one was a product of a state university laboratory high school. Eight students were from private schools.

          DepEd also noted that the number of examinees with high score in general scholastic aptitude increased from 49,066 in 2006 to 77,869 this year or an increase of 59 percent.

          "The results showed that we are making some headway in our effort to improve education especially in our public school system," Education Secretary Jesli A. Lapus said.

          "The NCAE was developed to assess the aptitudes of fourth year high school students and guide them in choosing an appropriate career path after graduation. "Unlike the National College Entrance Examination that was discontinued in 1994, the NCAE is used entirely for recommendation purposes in career guidance," Lapus said.

          Lapus stressed that the conduct of NCAE last August 2007 and the distribution of the individual results last November 2007 will give students and their parents time to choose career options vis-à-vis aptitudes or inclinations.

          DepEd is currently implementing enhanced curriculum in some 261 technical-vocational secondary schools out of 5,078 public secondary schools nationwide to give students in these tech-voc schools skills trainings and a resulting wider array of life choices. Given the introduction of ladderized education, students may build on their skills acquired in these tech-voc schools and choose technical or engineering courses in college while some may decide to take post-secondary courses given by TESDA.

          The 18 areas of specialization for SY 2007-2008 for tech-voc schools include: Automotive Servicing, Consumer Electronics, Household Electricity, Machining, Welding, Plumbing, Building Construction, Furniture and Cabinet Making, PC Hardware Servicing, PC Operations, and Technical Drawing-CADD for Arts and Trade; Crop Production, Animal Production and Food Processing Production for Agriculture; and Fish Capture, Fish Culture and Fish Processing for Fishery. These are existing specializations offered by tech-voc schools aligned with TESDA Training Regulations.

          DepEd also promotes tech-voc education to address the growing employment mismatch arising from the inability of the new graduates to meet the skill requirements of the employers.

          Lapus said, "We need to change the mindset that students who choose to study in tech-voc are less endowed intellectually." Many capable students who excel in both academic and tech-voc are unable to pursue 4-year courses because of lack of financial resources. Empowered with technical skills, students can get themselves employed and have the means to sustain a college education.

          A major part of the NCAE consists of general scholastic aptitude test but it tests as well three additional domains, namely technical-vocational aptitude, entrepreneurial skills and interest inventory. The exam is composed of scientific ability, mathematical ability, reading comprehension, verbal ability, manipulative skills, clerical ability, non-verbal ability, and entrepreneurial skills.

          Students from public schools who became part of Club 99+ are the following: Karl Jeffrey E. Murillo of Regional Science HS, La Union; Ralph Francis A. Birung of Regional Science HS, Isabela; Mark Joseph A. Tiongson of Sta. Monica HS, Bulacan; Meawyn A. Millan of Negros Occidental HS, Negros Occidental; William Robert H. Yasi of Cebu City National HS, Cebu City; Mary Lorainne B. Fernandez, Kapangan Central National HS, Benguet; Lea Angelica R. Alhambra,   Baguio City National HS – Main, Baguio City; Armin N. Tajanlangit of Quezon City Science HS, Quezon City; John Lorenzo T. Bautista of Mandaluyong Science HS, Mandaluyong City; Lara Alessandra C. Aragones of Rizal High School, Pasig City; Jewel Len B. Sabaupan of Camarines Sur NHS-ESEP, Naga City; Caryl A. Gerarcas of Calbayog City HS, Calbayog City; and Francino P. Delima of Cebu Normal University, Cebu City, which is a state university. 

          Meanwhile, the students from private schools who made it to Club 99+ are: Lee Robert F. Legaspi, San Lorenzo Ruiz Academy, South Cotobato; Sharla Raye Y. Billena, Gen. Santos Hope Christian School, Gen. Santos City; Katrina B. Villanueva, La Immaculada Concepcion School, Pasig City; Marie Therese A. Floro, St. Paul College, Pasig; Axel Philip C. Advento, Montessori De Sto. Nino, Meycauayan, Bulacan; Luis Anthony A. Mariano, Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation, Quezon; Rose Ann G. Magnaye, Casa Del Bambino Emmanuel Montessori, Batangas City; and Efren John O. Misagal, Holy Cross College of Carigara, Leyte.

          NCAE for SY 2007-2008 was taken by 1,223,465 fourth year high school students from private and public schools nationwide last August 28, 2007. Special examinations have also been conducted in November for those who were not able to take the NCAE last August.

          NCAE is currently on its second year. On the third year of implementation in 2009 the test results are envisioned to serve as prerequisite for enrolment in any four or five year degrees in college and universities as well as two-year vocational or technological courses. An enabling law is needed to make the test an admission prerequisite.

          The Isabela City Schools Division Office in Basilan conducted their Christmas Outreach Program dubbed “Tuloy and Pasko ng mga Bata,” at the Panunsulan Elementary School recently.

          Some 250 elementary school children benefited from food and gift-giving while some of them availed of free medical consultation and medicines.

          City Schools Division Superintendent Romy Triambolo stressed that celebrating christmas is about gift-giving particularly for those less-fortunate individuals and children.

          He lauded the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) personnel and the US Forces who extended their support and participation to the activity that made the Christmas outreach more jolly and meaningful particularly to the children of Panunsulan.

          The activity was made successful through the joint efforts extended by local officials, private individuals and the AFP representatives with the US Forces contingent.  Jollibee added to the smile and joy of the kids.

          Present during the activity were Division Superintendent Triambolo; Isabela Administrator Renie Egerra; City District Supervisors Calma Balamo, Catalina Nabi, Florencia Ramirex; Panunsulan Barangay Chairman Rogelio Pioquinto; and Dr. Alnasser Mutalip together with US Navy medical officers, Wes Richey and Josua Sanio, who administered the medical consultation.

          The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) awarded some forty-three computer sets to public schools in region 6 and region 4-B in a ceremony held last December 14 at the BSP-Iloilo Branch in Iloilo City.

          The event is in line with the BSP’s "Tulong Barya para sa Eskwela" coin re-circulation and fund raising campaign.

           It was launched in 219 schools covering 15 regions, with about 1,796 schools participating.

          The Luzon area except the National Capital Region recorded 816 participants, followed by the NCR- 402; Mindanao-294; and Visayas- 284.

          The BSP executive report disclosed that aside from increased public awareness of the need to regularly use coins, the campaign was able to flush out 6,711,384 pieces of coins equivalent to production savings of P8,222,116.54 at P1.2251 weighted average per piece.

           The BSP campaign has likewise raised some P6,658,548.55, and was turned over to the Department of Education.

          Recognizing the valuable role that teachers play in shaping the future of the students and the direction of the nation, the Metrobank Foundation launched the 2008 Search for Outstanding Teachers.

          Now on its 24th year, the search is open to all full time Filipino elementary, secondary and college teachers in public and private schools who have been teaching in the country for the last 10 years.

          In an office memorandum, Undersecretary Teodosio Sangil stressed that for both elementary and secondary teacher nominees, the basic educational requirement is a bachelor's degree. Average performance ratings for the last five years should at least be "very satisfactory."

          Sangil explained in the issuance that each school is entitled to one nominee for each category and nominees must be officially endorsed by principals, head teachers or school heads. For DepEd schools without principals, the teachers-in-charge (TIC) can nominate, but the superintendent must endorse the nomination. Head teachers, TICs, assistant principals are eligible to the search, provided they have a teaching load of at least 50 percent of the total load required by the nominating school for full time faculty. However, they should be endorsed by any of the division supervisors and the school superintendent.

          Ten winners will be selected, four from the elementary, four from the high school, and two from the higher education level. Each awardee will receive atrophy, a gold medal and a cash prize of P200,000.

          Nomination forms are available at the Metrobank Foundation office, all Metrobank branches, DepEd regional and division offices starting December 2007.

          Nominators should submit directly or send by mail one original copy and three photocopies of nomination forms to the Metrobank Foundation, 15th Floor, Metrobank Plaza, Sen. Gil J. Puyat Avenue, Makati City, or to any Metrobank branch. The deadline for submission of nomination forms is on February 11, 2008. Nominations sent by mail should be postmarked on or before the same date.

          The Metrobank Foundation’s Search for Outstanding Teachers (SOT) was established in 1985. So far, the search has awarded a total of 266 exemplary mentors from public and private schools allover the country.

          Past winners have gone on to form the Network of Outstanding Teachers and Educators (NOTED), an honor society that actively works towards the elevation of teaching through professional development and advocacy in partnership with government and nongovernment institutions.

          In celebration of 100 years of Special Education (SPED) in the country, the Department of Education (DepEd) recognized the outstanding SPED teachers who have made the department's SPED programs successful.

          Held at Great Eastern Hotel in Quezon City, the awarding ceremony was part of a three day conference on SPED themed: "Celebrating 100 Years of Special Education." The conference sought to review the policies, current approaches, and strategies in Special Education. Best practices were also highlighted in line with SPED's centennial celebration.

          "In our efforts to provide education for all, DepEd has been implementing various educational programs for those with special needs," DepEd Secretary Jesli Lapus said.

          The national winners for the Visually Impaired Category are Arlene Ranile from Mandaue City Central School SPED Center, Edgar Sagun from Candelaria CS SPED Center in Zambales, and Thelma Guarino from Bagong Silang SPED Center in Caloocan City.

          For the Hearing Impaired Category, Brenda Ebreo of La Union SPED Center, San Fernando City won the first place, followed by Phoebe Santiago of Legazpi City Division SPED Center and Estrella Bautista of San Fernando ES for the third place.

          Meanwhile, Estrela Sartiga of Lipata CS SPED Center, Marife De Guzman from La Union SPED Center, and Maurina Jerusalem from Midsayap Pilot ES SPED Center in Cotabato ruled the Children with Autism Category.

          On the other hand, Edvin Cabrera from Integrated School for Exceptional Children in Iloilo City bagged the first place in the Children with Mental Retardation Category. Virginia Amanon of Midsayap Pilot CS in Cotabato and Rosario Santos of Sta. Ana ES SPED Center in Manila were in second and third place, respectively.

          Lastly, for the Gifted and Talented Children, Nora Amowas of Baguio City SPED Center won the first place, followed by Efremelia Caronan of Tuguegarao East CS in Tuguegarao City and Ma. Fe Teresa Penaflor of Dinalupihan ES in Bataan who won second and third places, respectively.

          The best SPED Centers were also acknowledged. The national winners are La Union SPED Center in San Fernando City for the first place, Zapatera ES SPED Center in Cebu City for the second place, and Paaralang Pag-ibig at Pag-asa from San Pablo City for the third place.

          The department's programs and projects on SPED are inspired by the 1994 Salamanca Statement on Principles, Policy and Practice in Special Education by UNESCO member-countries which states that "the fundamental principle of inclusive schools is that all children should learn together, wherever possible, regardless of any difficulties or difference they may have."

          The Special Education Division, which is under the Bureau of Elementary Education, prepares instructional materials specifically designed for children with special needs. It also establishes linkages with agencies concerned with the education and welfare of these children.