January 17, 2017

by EPSVR 1 Joel S. Guileb

DepED Secretary Leonor M. Briones pointed out four enhancements that she will pursue during her term to make quality basic education not only relevant and accessible but also liberating.

                “We want to enhance teaching in times of natural disasters, enhance the teaching of reproductive health, enhance drug education and enhance the implementation of formal and non-formal education,” cited Secretary Briones who spoke during the opening program of the Second National Conference on K to 12 on January 10 at the Philippine International Convention Center’s plenary hall.

                DepED Tarlac Province was represented by Curriculum Implementation Division Chief Paulino D. De Pano, Senior High School Division Coordinator Bobby P. Caoagdan, education program supervisors Joel S. Guileb and Nancy C. Dolorosa and District Supervisor Nicolasa S. Camaya.   

                Secretary Briones who delivered her keynote address to more than a thousand key officials from the 18 regions of the country also said she received a directive from President Rodrigo Duterte instructing her to minimize the disruptions of classes brought about by calamities.

                During her presentation, she quoted several world renowned personalities in her attempt to inspire the audience to strengthen their advocacy on attaining the DepED’s vision.

                “It is the supreme task of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge,” said Secretary Briones citing Nobel Prize Awardee Albert Einstein as she also emphasized that “our only recourse is to provide all children with the opportunities to pursue their passions and their dreams.”

                Secretary Briones also challenged teachers “to open windows in the learners’ minds by creating new and exciting paths, by making their learners know and love their country, by discovering things never known before, by learning skills they never had before and by making them better human beings.”

                The K to 12 annual national conference is a venue for sharing and benchmarking best practices in the implementation of DepED programs and projects in addressing quality, relevance and access of basic education.

                EPSvr 1 Caoagdan, in one of the breakout sessions, raised concerns on the qualifications of hiring teachers for Senior High School.

                “The Department of Education should revisit the qualifications required of teacher applicants, especially in the technical-vocational track,” Caoagdan pointed out as he cited the lack of qualified teachers since “only a few met the qualification standards” last year.