“Be agents of positive change through the utilization of basic research.”

       These words of inspiration were part of the welcome message delivered by Dr. Ponciano A. Menguito, Director of Department of Education National Capital Region (DepEd- NCR) during the launching of the 1st Nationwide Basic Education Research Agenda   caravan of DepEd held on July 11, 2016 at the Benitez Theatre, University of the
Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City.

        The event aimed to provide  guidance to DepEd and its stakeholders in the conduct of education research and in the utilization of research results to inform the Department’s planning, policy and program development.  Dr. Marie Therese Bustos, Dean of the UP College of Education, also  welcomed participants and underscored the importance of “research for the sake of the Filipino learners.” She also  expressed her continuous support to the educational reforms initiated by DepEd, with the friendly note that they will remain active critics, if deemed  necessary.       Among the attendees in the event were DepEd Assistant Secretary for Governance and Operations Jesus Mateo, Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) Executive Director Ramon Bacani, Philippine Institute of Development  Studies President Dr. Gilbert Llanto, UP College of Education Dean Dr. Marie Therese Bustos, Basic Education Sector Transformation (BEST) Team Leader Greg Ryan-Gadsden, and DepEd Planning Service Director Roger Masapol.

       In his message, Assistant Secretary Mateo mentioned the accomplishments of former    DepEd Secretary Armin Luistro FSC, especially the K to 12 program, and enjoined everyone to contribute to educational reforms by participating in the Department’s research  agenda. “Let us use our brain power to help develop researches that will move forward this country to greatness,” Asec. Mateo remarked in the conclusion of his keynote address.      Mr. Roger B. Masapol gave the  participants an overview of the rationale, objectives and priorities of the Basic Education Research Agenda. He discussed its four (4) main themes, namely: teaching and learning, child protection, human resource development, and governance. He stated that the Research Agenda shall build on gains from existing research, generate new knowledge on  priority research areas, focus DepEd’s attention on relevant    education issues, and maximize available resources for research within and outside the Department.

Action research winners Nenita J. Rivera, Ma. Theresa A. Feudo, and Jay Boy Evano gave their testimonies on how       research helps address long-term learning problems such as   reading comprehension and development.

Stated through DepEd Order No. 39 s. 2016, the adoption of the Basic Education Research Agenda hopes to inspire and guide its external stakeholders to undertake empirical studies to better understand and advance basic education in the country.

In line with this activity, DepEd’s Policy Research and    Development Division will also spearhead a nationwide Research Caravan to help disseminate the goals and objectives of the agenda to its field offices and regional stakeholders.

– Marco Meduranda