By Maribel Cabasal

July 1-31 2010:

DepEd Celebrates Nutrition Month

The Department of Education joins the nation in the observance of Nutrition Month
this July. Pegged on the theme, “Healthy Lifestyle ng Kabataan, Landas sa
Kinabukasan,” the celebration focuses on the nutrition and health needs of Filipino
adolescents and children. Its particular focus is on the consumption of nutritious food to
prepare them for adulthood and instill in them the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.

School Health and Nutrition Center (SHNC) Director Thelma Santos says it is
necessary to provide the adolescents and children with additional nutrients for fast growth
and development during this period.

“The school canteens should serve nutritious and affordable meals to students
because this will give them a better chance to grow into healthy and productive adults,”
Santos emphasized.

To support the developmental endeavor of the National Nutrition Council, the

Department of Education integrates nutrition and reproductive health lessons in science
and technology and livelihood education (TLE) subjects in schools.

Fora and conferences on nutrition are conducted in schools to increase awareness

of students on the subject and to clarify their misconceptions about nutrition and healthy
lifestyles.

A report from the World Health Organization (WHO) has revealed that the
prevalence and rising incidence of non-communicable diseases (NCD) during adulthood
result from unhealthy nutrition and lifestyle practices during pre-adolescence and
adolescence.

“According to the study, poor meal preparation, skipping meals, preference for fast
food and street food, and engaging in fad diets are factors that contribute to nutrient
deficiencies among adolescents and children.”

Director Santos noted that poor nutrition among adolescents can lead to slow
growth and development, poor school performance, sluggishness, micronutrient
deficiencies particularly anemia, and other diseases in adulthood.

By Maribel Cabasal
National Career Assessment Exam set on August 28

The National Career Assessment Examination (NCAE) shall be administered to

fourth year high school students nationwide on August 28, the Department of Education
announced.

Education Secretary Jesli Lapus said NCAE will be given to fourth year high
school students in public and private schools but stressed that “only private secondary
schools with permit from the Department shall be included in the administration of the
test.”

The education chief required all fourth year high school learners from both public
and private secondary institutions to take the NCAE. “In case of absences due to sickness
or any force majeure, students should signify their intention to take the special test
through a letter noted by their parents to be submitted to the School Division Office and
National Education Testing and Research Center (NETRC) which shall schedule a test,”
Lapus said.

The test seeks to enable students and parents to better assess career options based
on the student’s skills and inclinations towards various fields of interest. This will also
determine not only the students’ academic aptitude, but also their technical and
vocational capabilities, as well as entrepreneurial skills.

Components of the NCAE include scientific ability, mathematical ability, reading

comprehension, verbal ability, manipulative skills, clerical ability, non-verbal ability and
entrepreneurial skills.

The NETRC will conduct the test with the assistance of the public and private
secondary school officials all over the country.

To ensure smooth administration of the NCAE, the Department shall hold a

national orientation on guidelines in the conduct of the examination.

By Cherry Morada

SHNC Intensifies Medical, Dental Services in Public Schools

The School Health and Nutrition Center (SHNC) has strengthened the provision of
medical and dental care to public school students, teachers and non-teaching personnel
through the conduct of an Expanded Universal Medical and Dental Check-up (UMDC)
starting this month up to March 2008.
 According to Health and Nutrition Center Director Thelma Santos, the UMDC is
pursuant to Executive Order No. 595 known as the Health Education Reform Order
(HERO) of 2006, which shall be undertaken by school health and nutrition personnel and
volunteer private or public health professionals affiliated with medical and dental
organizations to all DepEd supervised preschools and public elementary and secondary
schools all over the country.

Now on its third year of implementation, the UMDC aims to establish data on the
health and nutritional status of schoolchildren as bases in instituting immediate health
interventions to identified children-at-risk. It also seeks to empower school heads to
develop the schools as health promoter by integrating health and nutrition program in the
School Improvement Plan (SIP) under the School-Based Management (SBM).

To sustain national awareness on this health maintenance drive, a series of medical

and dental missions as well as intensive school health and nutrition education shall be
conducted on a monthly basis. The schedules of UMDC and interventions per grade and
year level are: pre-schoolers and grade 1 – July, grade 2 – August, grade 3 – October,
grade 4 – November, grade 6 – December, first year – January 2008, second year –
February, third and fourth year – March.

DepEd urged the regional directors to provide full administrative and financial
support to the program. School heads were instructed to collaborate with school health
personnel to identify children-at-risk in order to institute appropriate and immediate
health interventions.

UDMC is implemented in partnership with Adopt-A-School Secretariat (ASP),

Philippine College of Physicians (PCP), Philippine Medical Association (PMA),
Philippine Dental Association (PDA), Philippine Pediatric Society (PPS), Philippine
Association of Ophthalmologists (PAO), and other health specialty associations.

By Cherry Morada

Champions of Decentralization Laud Leadership Workshop

To pave the way for the full implementation of decentralized management, a cross-
section of DepEd personnel drafted an integrated decentralization plan during the
workshop on Engaging Shared Leadership at all Levels Towards Decentralization of
Basic Education Management. It was held at the SEAMEO 1NNOTECH from May 28 to
June 1, 2007.

Drawing on distinct experiences in educational and school management, the five-

day workshop was a dynamic interchange of ideas among the 52 participants from the
regional, division, district, and school levels of MIMAROPA, Negros Oriental, and
Caraga, as well as the Central Office. The participants agreed that decentralization,
specifically through shared leadership, is one of the key tools in tackling the many ills
that have plagued Philippine education management for decades now.

Sessions on personal effectiveness and leading learning communities were

incorporated in the workshop as competencies needed to successfully carry out the
integrated decentralization plan. Group activities on building community partnerships
prepared the participants to engage other stakeholders in collaborative action.

Some insights

The participants easily warmed to the idea of the workshop, which was designed to
help DepEd personnel deal better with the changes brought about by decentralization.
Carolina Rivera, Supervising Education Programs Specialist of DepEd’s Instructional
Materials Council Secretariat, admired her fellow participants’ openness to the concept of
shared leadership in the context of decentralization. “The course is excellent for so-
called traditional managers who may benefit from a reorientation on how to facilitate
change,” she said. “However, espousing shared leadership would only be effective in the
lower levels if the upper managers are supportive of it, hence the importance of the
workshop to the personnel, both middle and upper managers, in the central office.”

The participants also strongly recommended the course to their colleagues at all
levels of DepEd. “I had an enriching learning experience in the workshop. I gained
substantial knowledge that my colleagues in DepEd would greatly benefit from,” said
Bienvenido Villagracia of the National Educational Testing and Research Center of the
DepEd. “I am now fully a champion of decentralization because of the encouragement I
received from the sessions,” noted Mariflor Musa, officer-in-charge, Alternative Learning
System Division, of DepEd Region IV-B (MIMAROPA).

It was critical that the workshop clarified the new roles and relationships between
each of the DepEd levels in the decentralized setup. “There are people in the DepEd who
do not have a good grasp of decentralization. Change is hard, but the workshop provided
u frameworks on how to function in a changing environment and effectively manage a
decentralized setup such that we maximize the opportunities it affords,” Ms. Musa added.

Dr. Thelma Navarrez of the DepEd Health and Nutrition Center put in a good word
for the resource persons of the workshop. “They were very knowledgeable and
effectively facilitated the free flow of thoughts. The theories were even simplified to
make them more relevant to the realities in the field,” she said. Assistant Regional
Director Dr. Isabelita Borres of Caraga Region found the coherent content of the course
to be encouraging to the participants to learn from each other as they shared perspectives
and issues in decentralization.

Champions of Decentralization

At the end of the workshop, SEAMEO INNOTECH Director Dr. Erlinda Pefianco
encouraged the group to serve as champions of decentralization. “The message is simply
to tell everybody about the great potentials of decentralization,” she expressed during the
transition ceremonies.

“When I go back to my work station I would impart what I learned in this course to
my colleagues,” said Ms. Rivera of the DepEd Central Office. “For sure I’m going to
recommend the course to every decision-maker in the DepEd,” echoed Dr. Navarrez.

Three more batches of participants are slated to join the workshop on June 18-22,
June 25-29, and July 2-6.

A DepEd undertaking

The workshop is part of the Decentralized Management Development Program

(DMDP) package being financed by the Secondary Development and Improvement
Project (SEDIP) in partnership with the SEAMEO Innotech. A capacity building program
that aims to support the various decentralization efforts of DepEd, DMDP is identified as
one of the strategies to implement decentralization. It is a six-month program expected to
address “people issues” and seeks to create a climate where people involved and affected
by the decentralization efforts not only passively agree to the desired change but also
commit to and make change happen. The first six months shall be identified as the phase
1 of the DMDP, to cover 9 regions and 15 divisions, tagged as the batch 1 participants.

Finally, the DMDP phase 1 is being envisioned to serve as the groundwork for the
department wide decentralization capacity building program to run for three years. This is
in support of the DepEd Rationalization Plan which was crafted in consonance with RA
9155.

SEAMEO-INNOTECH

DepEd Celebrates National Disaster Consciousness Month

The Department of Education enjoins all its offices, private and public schools and
attached agencies to undertake relevant activities to mark the significance of the National
Consciousness Month this July.

With the theme “Safe Ka Ba? Programa Laban sa Kalamidad Tungo sa Pag-unlad,”
the department activities shall be focused on disaster risk reduction education to ensure
heightened awareness and consciousness among its public school students and personnel
on what to do before, during and after the occurrence of manmade or natural hazards.

Education Secretary Jesli Lapus ordered schools and all DepEd offices to hang
streamers based on the theme; discuss lessons on Disaster Risk Reduction during flag
raising ceremony; devote time for the discussion of disaster preparedness, mitigation,
prevention and control in class; advocate disaster risk reduction as a way of life at home
and in the community; symposium on Disaster Risk Reduction; and conduct of essay
writing and slogan contests on disaster preparedness.

The DepEd central office, in cooperation with the National Disaster Coordinating
Council (NDCC), the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and My
Shelter Foundation will launch “Build Better, Be Better” program. This program
envisions to make schoolbuildings safe, conducive for learning, and come up with
technological solutions to improve quality and standards of how structures are built.

The department shall also conduct a three-day youth forum on the Wakayama
Youth Declaration on Disaster Risk Reduction Education. To highlight the month-long
activity, the department will conduct the Second Quarter National Earthquake Drill on
July 27 at 9 a.m. The ceremonial pressing of the button shall be done in an industrial
plant in region 4-A.

Executive Order No. 137 dated August 10, 1999 declares the month of July of
every year as the National Disaster Consciousness Month.

By Maribel Cabasal

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.

Health and Nutrition Center Director Thelma Santos said the rehabilitation
program seeks to implement appropriate psychological interventions for teaching and
non-teaching staff of the department affected by disaster; provides necessary follow-up
treatment to those severely affected; and train core of mentors and personnel on
techniques of debriefing and psychological processing for schoolchildren.

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,
Camarines Sur and Legaspi City.

Santos said health services were also undertaken to 13,547 schoolchildren by

school health personnel at evacuation centers in Albay, Ligao, Tabaco City and Legaspi
City.

Among the leading ailments found among pupils in the evacuation centers are
dental caries, pediculosis, colds and cough, pale conjunctiva, tinea flava, enlarged gland,
impacted cerumen, primary complex, distended abdomen and minor injuries.
 Some 354,380 pupils were examined in the schools in Albay, Camarines Sur,
Catanduanes, Sorsogon, Legaspi City, Ligao City and Tabaco City.

Santos reported that school feeding was given to 187 public elementary schools
that benefited 23,990 pupils in the Bicol region.

Meanwhile, the DepEd central office provided milk, noodles, sardines, sugar and
rice for emergency feeding in disaster-affected schools.

By Cherry Morada

PPSTA Sets National Search for Outstanding Teachers, School Heads

The Philippine Public School Teachers Association (PPSTA) has set the National
Search for Outstanding Teachers, School Heads and PPSTA Division Chapters this year.

The search aims to recognize the exemplary and outstanding performance and
accomplishments of teachers and school heads in the elementary and secondary schools
who are active members of the PPSTA. Likewise, the search recognizes the PPSTA
division chapters' valuable contributions in the promotion and upliftment of teachers'
welfare in the country.

Any member of the PPSTA may nominate an active PPSTA member for the
awards. Previous national winners of similar search aponsored by other organizations
and those given recognition of PPSTA are disqualified. The screening, evaluation and
selection of winners shall be done in three phrases. Submission of nominees starts in July
and awarding of winners will be on April 19, 2008.

For more information, Francisco Josef, PPSTA conservator may be reached at

(02)711-4463 and 0918-5448046.

By Maribel Cabasal

Public Schools to Implement "Gulayan sa Paaralan" Project

Education Secretary Jesli Lapus has directed public elementary and secondary
schools all over the country to implement the “Gulayan sa Paaralan” project in support of
the government’s hunger mitigation and poverty alleviation efforts.

In a department memorandum issued recently, the education chief said that hunger
and malnutrition are two problems that affect 19 percent or 3,268,000 families out of the
17,400,000 households in the country. “Children of poor parents fail to complete their
education because hunger and malnutrition force them to drop out from school to help
their parents earn a living,” Secretary Lapus said.

A school-community food production project, the “Gulayan sa Paaralan” is a tie-

up with the “Programang Agrikultura Para sa Masa” of the Department of Agriculture
(DA), which will be implemented at the national, regional, division, provincial and city
levels.

This initiative seeks to raise public consciousness on the health and nutritional
dimension as well as economic benefits of establishing school, household and community
gardens. The school gardens shall serve as food basket or main source of commodities to
sustain supplementary feeding.

Lapus emphasized that “Gulayan sa Paaralan” project will be implemented in

public elementary and high schools with ample or limited areas, in rural or urban setting
using organic gardening technologies, like Bio-Intensive Gardening, Food Always in the
Home (FAITH), and others.

“Production of selected varieties of vegetables shall be intensified in schools and

communities to address deficiencies in protein (legumes), energy (root crops), vitamins
and iron (malunggay, saluyot, gabi leaves, kangkong, kulitis, alugbati, peachay),” the
DepEd chief said.

The secretary also directed the school heads of private schools, tech-voc schools,
science and math schools and other capable special institutions including Parent Teacher
Community Association (PTCA) and Student Government Organizations (SSGO) to
spearhead the implementation of poverty and hunger alleviation programs to depressed
families and communities, as well as to link with the agricultural extension offices of
local government units at the municipal, city and provincial levels.

By Cherry Morada

Textbook Procurement Process Stringent - DepEd

The Department of Education reiterated that the procurement of English textbooks

for public schools passed through stringent process and complied with the procurement
guidelines under the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD).

In a briefing on the latest textbook procurement of English at the department’s

conference room, Director Aida Carpintero of Procurement Service said that DepEd
conducted the International Competitive Bidding (ICB) open to all bidders from eligible
countries of the financing institutions, such as the World Bank and the Asian
Development Bank.
 On the content evaluation of the textbook procurement, Director Socorro Pilor of
the Instructional Materials Council Secretariat (IMCS) pointed out that since 2005,
DepEd has implemented a four-level content evaluation process. Level 1 focuses on
determining the completeness and sufficiency of development of the learning
competencies. The Level 1 evaluators are subject-area specialists, supervisors, and
curriculum specialists.

Level 2 focuses on accuracy and up-to-dateness of contents and the reviewers are
university-based academicians. Level 3 focuses on determining the appropriateness of
the materials to society, to target users and to culture. The reviewers are master teachers
and practitioners. Level 4 focuses on the language used to ensure that these are
grammatically correct and appropriate to the level of the users. They also look at the
book design.

Pilor said Ateneo de Manila University reviews the manuscripts for elementary
English textbooks while the University of the Philippines reviews the high school
manuscripts. The evaluation process takes more than two months from levels one to four.

She pointed out that civil society groups are involved as observers in the process
from content evaluation, procurement up to the actual delivery of books.

The department emphasized that the allegedly error-ridden books were procured in
1999, 2000 and 2002.

“With the adoption of International Competitive Bidding, the prices of books have
lowered significantly from an average of P90 per copy in 1997 and 1998 to P45 each
copy.”

By Cherry Morada

DepEd Sets Hiring Guidelines for School Principals

The Department of Education has revised the guidelines in the selection, promotion
and designation of school principals in public elementary and secondary schools
nationwide.

Secretary Jesli Lapus said that DepEd Order No. 85 in 2003 was amended by Order
No. 42 s. 2007.

“Under the revised guidelines, the school heads are responsible for the
administrative and instructional supervision of the school or cluster of schools,” the chief
said.
 This, he said, would require them to have at least five years experience in the
aggregate as head teacher, teacher-in-charge, master teacher and teacher III.

The prospective school heads must possess the following: educational leadership
which is the ability to craft and pursue a shared school vision and mission, as well as
develop and implement curriculum policies, programs and projects; people leadership
which is the ability to work and develop effective relationships with stakeholders and
exert a positive influence upon people; and strategic leadership which is the ability to
explore complex issues from a global perspective, manage an educational enterprise and
maximize the use of resources.

The Education chief stressed that principal positions shall be open to all qualified
candidates from within and outside the division where the vacancies exist.

The appointment of a school principal, he explained, is non-station specific.

In the ranking for principal positions, the computation of points shall be done on
the following criteria: performance rating - 30; experience-10; outstanding
accomplishments – 30; education and training – 20; potential – 5; and psychosocial
attributes and personality traits – 5.

The division superintendent shall designate teachers-in-charge (TICSs) in schools

without principal items. The prospective TIC should posses at least three years teaching
experience and undergo a screening process conducted by the division office.

Assignment of head teachers shall be one per subject area with priority on the core
subject areas like English, math, science, filipino and araling panlipunan.

By Maribel Cabasal

BEE to Train Pre-school Tutors, Daycare Workers

The Department of Education, through the Bureau of Elementary Education (BEE)

is set to conduct an inaugural training for Parent Teacher Community Association (PTA)
and Local Government Unit (LGU)-organized preschool teachers and daycare workers all
over the country.

The trainings are slated in September of this year in the cities of Baguio, Tagaytay,
Tagbilaran, Ormoc, Davao and Cagayan de Oro.

This initiative is in support of the Education for All (EFA) goals of 2010 and the
department’s thrust to provide wider access to basic education and to raise skills and
capability of preschool mentors and daycare workers.
 BEE said the program specifically aims to equip preschool teachers on Early
Childhood Education (ECE) curriculum and standards for five-year old children as well
as the methods and strategies in preschool education. It seeks to introduce proper and
maximum utilization of educational materials.

Participants of the training include regional elementary education division chiefs,

preschool coordinators, teachers under PTCA and LGU-organized preschool program and
selected daycare workers.

By Cherry Morada

Nutrition Month

The Department of Education joins the nation in the observance of Nutrition Month
this July.

The celebration focuses on the nutrition and health needs of Filipino adolescents
and children particularly on the consumption of nutritious food to prepare them for
adulthood and instill in them the benefits of practicing a healthy lifestyle.

The department recently released Memorandum No. 293, “Gulayan sa Paaralan”

project, to establish school gardens to sustain supplementary feeding in public schools.

In Order No.8 of 2007, the department rationalized the operation and management
of canteens in public schools. It specified that only nutrient-rich foods such as root crops,
noodles, rice and corn products in native preparation, fruits and vegetables in season, and
fortified food products shall be sold in the school canteen. Beverages shall include milk,
shakes and juices prepared from fruits and vegetables in season.

In Memorandum No. 156 s. 2006, the DepED promoted the consumption of

sweetened banana chips as snacks in school canteens.

But that is not enough! Food safety standards and hygienic practices must be
strictly enforced in schools all the time. Vendors must not be allowed to bring in food
items inside the school canteen or, even sell near the school premises. Our school heads
must stop the vendors and coordinate with the local municipal heads on this matter. After
all, nutrition is not only about eating the right food but also eating from hygienic food
sources.

Leadership Training for Student Gov’t. Officers Set

 A National Leadership Training for Student Government Officers is set by the
Center for Students and Co-Curricular Affairs (CSCA), in cooperation with the Masters
Lighthouse Foundation and the Council of Organizations of the Ateneo-Ateneo Student
Trainers (COA-STRAINS), at the Teachers Camp, Baguio City on September 1 to 6.

With the theme, “Student-Leaders: Growing Up Through the Levels of

Leadership,” the training aims to enhance the management and leadership skills of
Supreme Student Government (SSG) officers by exposing them to various leadership
concepts and models and help them understand the complexities of leading and managing
the SSG in school.

Plenary sessions, interactive breakout sessions and enriched discussions will be

conducted during the training to provide a venue for policy consultations among DepEd
officials, student-leaders and teacher advisers.

Well-known personalities from public and private sectors, such as former President
Corazon Aquino, Senator Manuel Roxas III, Philippine Long Distance Telephone
Company (PLDT) Chairman Manuel Pangilinan, University of the Philippines (UP)
Professor Solita “Winnie” Monsod and Team Pilipinas Basketball Coach Chot Reyes,
will serve as speakers and lecturers to give valuable insights on leadership and
management.

Presidents, vice-presidents, secretaries and other officers of the SSG for school
year 2007 to 2008, including their respective teacher-advisers, principals and division and
regional education supervisors of araling panlipunan or Student Government Program
(SGP) coordinators, are encouraged to attend the training.

Interested individuals may contact CSCA Executive Director Joey Pelaez at (02)
631-8495 or (02) 636-3603 for inquiries.

By Lemuel Valles

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 roundtable discussion in Malacañang that focused on

education for competitiveness, productivity and poverty alleviation, the President
revealed that the government increased the budget allocation of the Department of
Education (DepEd) to P150 billion this year from P129 billion in 2006 in an effort to
modernize the educational system.
 For the technical and vocational education, the President said that she had alloted
P4 billion for student loans, business-funded training and expansion of State Universities
and Colles (SUCs) under the leadership of the Commission on Higher Education
(CHED).

As a result of this, beneficiaries of student loans increased from 40,000 last year to
200,000 this year.

The President reported that in 2006, her administration had constructed 15,000
classrooms and implemented two shifts a day with a ratio of 50 grade school students in
every classroom, except in some conflict areas.

"If someone knows of an elementary school with two shifts and yet there are more
than 50 students per classroom in each shift, please let us know," she urged.

Since 2001, the government has hired more than 40,000 teachers and trained
200,000. In 2004, the DepEd also started its regional payroll system which processes
salaries and retirement pays within 30 days.

The government, according to the Chief Executive, also produced 120 million
textbooks and teachers' manuals and was able to provide one textbook per grade school
student for English, filipino, science, mathematics and social studies subjects compared
to one textbook for every five learners in the past. To ensure the success of the program,
the President instructed all government agencies and government financial institutions
(GFIs) to support the educational upgrading project of the government.

Among those in the discussion were DepEd Secretary Jesli Lapus, CHED
Chairman Carlito Puno, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority
(TESDA) Chairman Augusto "Bobby" Syjuco and the beneficiaries of TESDA ladderized
training program Roslyn Darum, a welder of Hajin in Subic, Zambales and Charity
Fernandez, call center agent of APAC Call Center.

By Lawrence Cruz

DepEd in Partnership with TESDA & Microsoft Phils - 1,570 Tech-Voc Teachers
Undergo Training to Implement the STVEP

In line with flagship program of Secretary Jesli Lapus to strengthen the Technical-
Vocational Education Program (TVEP) in the high school level, at least 1,240 tech-voc
teachers underwent training in the various areas of specialization last summer.

The trainings in the 18 areas of specialization were conducted by the Technical

Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and Microsoft Philippines which
handled PC Operations. There are 11 areas of specialization for Arts and Trades, 4 areas
in Agriculture and 3 areas in Fishery.

The 18 areas of specialization include the following: 1) Automotive Technology,

2) Electronics Technology, 3) Building Wiring Installation, 4) Building Construction, 5)
Furniture and Cabinet Making, 6) Machine Shop Technology, 7) Welding Technology,
8) Plumbing, 9) Computer Hardware Servicing and 10) Technical Drawing, 11) PC
Operations, 12) Crop production, 13) Vegetable Production, 14) Animal Production and
15) Food Processing, 16) Fish Capture, 17) Fish Culture and 18) Fish Processing.

It may be recalled that the Competency-Based Curricula (CBC) for these 18 areas
of specialization were developed during a writeshop conducted last April by the
Department of Education (DepEd) in collaboration with TESDA, SEAMEO-INNOTECH
and Microsoft Philippines.

The tech-voc teacher trainings were conducted in the Regional Centers of

Excellence of TESDA which are located nationwide. The trainings have three
components, namely, the 1) technology component, 2) the training methodology and 3)
the assessment. As a prerequisite to the implementation of the CBC in selected Tech-
Voc Schools, the teachers themselves have to be trained or retooled based on the training
regulations and standards and have to be certified by TESDA.

Microsoft Philippines trains 328 tech-voc teachers on PC Operations

Microsoft Philippines trained at least 328 tech-voc teachers on PC Operations last

June 4 to 10 in the various training centers, such as University of Lasalette, Isabela,
Angeles University Foundation, Angeles City, Malayan Colleges, Laguna, Ateneo de
Naga, Naga, Western Visayas College of Science and Technology, Iloilo City, Cebu
Institute of Technology, Cebu City, Asian Development College, Tacloban City, Caraga
Regional Science High School, Surigao City, UP Mindanao, Davao City and Dipolog
Medical Center College Foundation, Dipolog City.

According to one of the staff of Microsoft Philippines, one week training is too
short for the teachers who are not familiar with the internet. In fact some of the
participants admitted that it is their first time to actually use a computer and see for
themselves how a network operates.

During the training period, the participants need to pass three modular exams in
order to receive an IC3 or Internet Computing Course Certificate from Microsoft. 34
participants passed the IC3. Cebu City has the highest number of passers with 9
participants; Angeles City has 8 passers; Naga has 7 passers.

The trainees hope to undergo the TESDA Assessment on PC Operation with NC2
qualificatiosn during the first quarter of the school year.
By Demi Manuel

CSCA Opens One Year US Scholarship for Students

The Center for Students and Co-curricular Affairs (CSCA) of the department and
the AFS-Partners for Learning Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Scholarship Program
opened the nominations for a year of full academic scholarship to the US to third year
high school students in public schools.

The YES program aims to build bridges of understanding and mutual respect
between the United States and countries with significant Muslim populations.

According to Joey Pelaez director of CSCA, priority is given to students from

regions 9,10, 11, 12 and the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) this
year.

Nominees must belong to the top 10 percent of the third year population of their
respective schools, 15 to 17 years old, and must have medical clearance,” Pelaez added.

The YES scholars will be placed in grades 10 or 11 in US public high schools.

They are expected to participate in classroom and extra curricular activities as regular
students. At the end of the program, the scholars are required to be back in the
Philippines to finish fourth year in their school.

Other program participants are students from Egypt, Ghana, Indonesia, Malaysia,
Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, India and Brunei.

Since 2004, the program has sent 118 Filipino scholars to the US. Some 40
scholars are scheduled to leave on August 5, 2007, making it a total of 158.

The YES program is administered by a consortia of exchange organizations in the

US. It is funded by the US State Department, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

In the Philippines, the YES program is implemented by the AFS Returnees

Foundation Philippines through its AFS Intercultural Programs-Philippines office.

Applications may be hand carried or delivered by courier to: Emily David, YES
Program Officer, AFS Intercultural Programs-Philippines 2/F UP ISSI Bldg., Jacinto St.,
UP Campus Diliman, Q.C. 1101.

Deadline for submission of application is on August 30, 2007 at 5 p.m.

By Maribel Cabasal
UNICEF Extends Hand to DepEd

The United Nations Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) formally gave

instructional materials to the Department of Education (DepEd) in a simple turnover
ceremony held at the DepEd central office on July 13.

UNICEF donated grade 1 instructional materials to the department to be used by

private madaris in Mindanao and in the National Capital Region (NCR).

"This assistance will definitely benefit the successful implementation of the

department's Arabic Language and Islamic Values Education (ALIVE) program and to
provide culturally sensitive education to our students," Secretary Jesli Lapus said.

"Prior to its publication, the instructional materials were carefully prepared by

highly qualified Muslim scholars to ensure that the contents do not deviate from Islamic
values and teachings," Undersecretary for Muslim Affairs Manaros Boransing said.

The ALIVE program is a DepEd project and the Basic Education Assistance for
Mindanao (BEAM) of the government of Australia through the Australian Agency for
International Development (AusAID).

The program is part of UNICEF's thrust in implementing projects that promote

peaceful coexistence between Christians and Muslims in war plagued areas like
Mindanao.

By Lawrence Cruz

Muslim Drop-Outs Can Study Thru ALIVE Project

The Muslim out-of-school youths (OSYs) and adults can now have better access to
basic education through the Alternative Learning System (ALS) – Arabic Language and
Islamic Values Education (ALIVE) project of the Department of Education.

The ALIVE in ALS project is a new approach of delivering ALS program to the
Muslims OSYs and adults. The program provides core learnings with additional Islamic
concerns consisting of Arabic language and Islamic values in the learning experiences of
Muslim learners.

According to Undersecretary for Muslim Affairs Manaros Boransing, the ALIVE

in ALS project will initially target the Muslim OSYs and adults in the urban areas where
massive migration have been noted. The Muslims’ search for “better business
opportunities” in the cities, particularly in NCR, have led to the big number of Muslims
here,” Undersecretary Boransing said.

“The ALIVE project can also be an option on the present problem of overcrowding
in our public schools,” Undersecretary Boransing added.

The pilot sites for the ALIVE project include: Manila, Taguig, Paranaque, Pasay,
Caloocan, Quezon City, San Juan, San Fernando City and Angeles City.

Other sites are Cavite, Bacolod, Iloilo, Aklan, Bohol, Tagbilaran, Cebu City,
Mandaue, Lapu-lapu City, Talisay City, Zaboanga City, Zamboanga Sibugay, Pagadian,
Dipolog, Dapitan City, Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, Ozamis, Bukidnon, Oroquieta, Valencia
City, Davao, Kidapawan and Baguio.

By Maribel Cabasal

DepEd Union: Lapus ‘Doing Well’

The employees union of the Department of Education (DepEd) say that Lapus is
doing well in the department.

According to lawyer Domingo Alidon, president of the 40,000-strong DepEd

National Employees Union (DepED-NEU), “Secretary Lapus, so far, has honored and
lived up to the five performance parameters set for all those who would serve as DepED
Secretary.”

Alidon listed the five performance parameters as follows: No politicking in the

Department of Education; professional management of the department; respect for the
rights of public sector unionism; management transparency; and continuation of
educational reforms

“So far, there has been no politicking in DepEd. The secretary has clearly avoided
using the department for the political gain of the Arroyo government, especially during
the May 2007 elections. In fact, the secretary even shielded the DepEd employees from
possible abuse and misuse during the elections by insisting on the teachers’ rights and
interests,” Alidon stressed.

The DepEd chief has respected union rights and attained management transparency
by including union representatives in the department’s management committee, personnel
development committee, personnel selection board in the regional and division offices,
bidding and awards committee, provident fund regional board of trustees and all other
committees.
 The union singled out three of Lapus’ accomplishments which showed the DepEd
chief’s professional management, which contributed to the improvement of the Philippine
public education system. These include his effort to reduce class size, increase the ratio of
textbooks, improve the system of rehabilitation of school facilities and provide global
competitiveness through the cyber education (CyberEd) project.

One of Secretary Lapus’ first initiatives was expediting and improving the
guidelines for teacher employment and ensuring that the best candidates assumed the
7,237 teaching posts,” Alidon said.

“With the creation of more teaching positions and hiring of 16,390 teachers, there
is currently no substantial shortage of teachers this 2007,” Alidon added.

An improved system for the repair and maintenance of school structures was
adopted by the secretary. Instead of focusing solely on the new construction of buildings
and classrooms, the DepEd head undertook projects for the rehabilitation of schools.

As to the “textbook issues and allegations” against the secretary, the alleged
erroneous textbooks were not negotiated and printed during Secretary Lapus’ time. The
chief has reformed the textbook procurement process thereby ensuring the quality of
textbooks used in all public schools in the country. The new procurement process
features the increased involvement of the community to ensure government transparency
and accountability.

The DepEd’s cyberEd program would revolutionize Philippine education by

linking 36,000 public schools throughout the country under a computer network. These
will allow students from remote areas to receive expert instruction from master teachers
through virtual classrooms. It will also make the world wide web, a rich source of
materials, available to schoolchildren in need of references to supplement their education.

The DepED-NEU commended the DepEd chief for providing career assistance to
graduating high school students through the National Career Assessment program.

“The continued stay in DepEd of Secretary Lapus is being endorsed by the union to
ensure the continuity of programs and projects that are already being implemented. We
have asked President Arroyo to retain the Secretary because his approach to public school
education is in line with the government’s anti-poverty program and social reform
agenda,” Alidon said.

159 OSYs Take Basic Ed Diploma thru Alternative Learning System

A grade 3 finisher was conferred certificate of elementary education graduate after

she topped the Alternative Learning System Accreditation and Equivalency (ALS A & E)
test.
 Lisa Ann Alvarado was among the five passers who graduated in elementary
education while 154 others graduated in secondary course during the graduation rites held
on June 30 at San Juan High School, Mexico, Pampanga.

The ALS A & E passers are qualified to pursue the next level of education.
According to Dr. Leonardo Zapanta, ALS education supervisor 1 of the division of
Pampanga, majority of their passers are pursuing tertiary and technical-vocational
courses.

As part of basic literacy program, ALS regularly conducts A & E Learning sessions
for out-of-school (OSY) youth and adults who did not finish schooling due to poverty or
absence of school in their areas.

OSYs who are over high school age and those over elementary age can take the A
& E test for secondary and elementary education, respectively. OSYs can submit their
applications for A & E test through the division office on September 3 to November 23,
2007.

The graduation of ALS A & E passers was attended by Director Carolina Guererro
of BALS; Dr. Felipe Canoza, DepEd regional Office ALS chief; Dr. Amelia Julian,
assistant chief; Dr. Nicolas Capulong, assistant schools division superintendent of
Pampanga.

“The vigorous implementation of ALS A & E program is a manifestation of the

commitment of the division of Pampanga to Education for All,” Director Guerrero said.

By Dr. Amelia Juan, ALS Region 3

DepEd Trains Ifugao Teachers on Science Projects

The Department of Education has trained the teachers and the principal of Lagawe
Central School (LCS) Lagawe, Ifugao on technological skills and higher order thinking
skills to prepare them for the implementation of the Special Science Elementary School
(SSES).

Gloria Ambojnon, supervisor of Lagawe said that LCS is the pilot school for SSES
so the teachers had to be trained last May.

Ambojnon explained that the project starts with grades 1 and 2 this school year. A
total of 35 pupils from grades 1 and 2 have passed the mental ability test in science and
they are qualified to enter the SSES.
 Seen as a dynamic community that fosters positive and scientific attitudes towards
self and society, Ambojnon said that the LCS will be the feeder school for the Science
High School which is located in the municipality of Lamut.

The SSES envisions developing Filipino children who are equipped with scientific
and technological knowledge, skills and attitudes; creative and have positive values; and
lifelong learning skills to become productive partners in the development of the
community and society.

It aims to determine the qualities that science inclined learners possess; describe
the characteristics of a good special elementary school; and determine the factors inputted
into the SSES that significantly contribute to the improved performance of the learners
involved in the study.

Ambojnon said that the school is strategically located and is accessible to most
schools in the division. It has enough space for infrastructure improvement and other
projects such as science or botanical garden.

SSES, according to the guidelines should have “state of the art” technology that
provides for standard size classrooms of 7 meters by 9 meters with at least two
computers, a television set, cassette recorder, player LCD projector, OHP,
VHS/VCD/DVD player for every classroom. The classrooms should also have science
laboratories, computer laboratory with multimedia and internet facilities; speech
laboratory; music room and musical instruments and a gym with functional sports
facilities.

By Lawrence Cruz

Region 3 Ranks 4th in NAT

DepEd Region 3 ranks 4th in the roster of top performing regions in the National
Achievement Test (NAT) given in school year 2006 to 2007 to Grade 6 pupils in the
public schools.

Balanga City is 5th placer among the country’s highest divisions with a mean
percentage score of 77.67. Balanga City division attributes its NAT achievement to its
close supervision of instruction in schools, various interventions, intensive reading
instruction and teachers’ training.

The division of Bataan retains its 2nd highest rank in the region for two years. With
74.60 mean percentage score, Bataan is 13th highest division in the national level.

The next highest NAT raters in the region are Malolos City with 72.7 1, Science
City of Muñoz with 67.74 and Cabanatuan City with 67.01.
 Region 3’s highest performing schools in NAT are as follows: Salapungan
Elementary School (89.42) and Bagong Baryo Elementary School (88.80) of Bulacan, T.
Carnacho Sr. Elementary School (88.55) of Balanga City, Tibagan Elementary School
(88.09) of Bulacan and Daan Pare Elementary School (87.16) of Bataan.

The highest performing schools in each subject area are Bagumbayan Elementary
School of Bataan, 98.31 in Mathematics; Tibagan Elementary School of Bulacan, 95.43
in Heograpiya, Kultura at Sibika; T. Camacho Sr. Elementary School, Balanga City,
94.27 in Fi1ipino; Alikabok Elementary School of Bataan, 91.83 in English and 89.92 in
Science.

Dr. Mario Ramirez, regional director, commended the effort of teachers,

supervisors and superintendents and former Director Dinah Mindo for the region’s
remarkable progress in NAT performance from 8th to 4th place.

Mrs. Celia Nacpil, assistant chief and officer in charge of the elementary education
division of region 3, said the NAT performance is a payoff of the direct training of
teachers and the technical assistance extended by the education supervisors through
adopting and focusing on low performing schools.

<2007 Pambansang Ulirang Kabataan> Cherry Oro: To Excel and to Serve

A consistent first honors student from grade 1 to grade 5, Cherry Oro, 16, the eldest
in a family of four, excitedly walked onstage during her Graduation Exercises in grade 6
expecting again, for the highest honors, only to get the 3rd honorable mention. With tears
welling in her eyes, she looked down at the seats. Her parents were sitting there, a small
but very precious entourage. Her fault? She lacked extra-curricular activities. From that
time on, she vowed to herself, she would return to that school a success, or she wouldn’t
return at all.

Born to a poor family, Cherry transferred to Valencia National High School for her
secondary education, a 20 to 30 minutes motorela (tricycle) drive from her house. In
school, Cherry met Ms. Violah Elsha Jimeno, Math department head, who promised to
help Cherry finance her studies. Ms. Jimeno bought her new sets of uniform, paid for her
projects and contributions, and handed her P20 daily for her “baon”. In return, Cherry did
errands for Ms. Jimeno and helped in her office.

Cherry pushed hard to realize her dream. She studied well, nurtured her talents,
crafted her skills and brought home awards and academic recognitions. While excelling
in school, she went extra mile to serve her family. She rises before dawn everyday to
cook for the family’s breakfast, fixes herself and her siblings and are off for school at 6
a.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays are her wash days.
 When Cherry was in second year high school, tragedy struck: Her mother, a
housewife, was diagnosed with kidney failure while her father, a farmer, was declared to
have prostate cancer. Cherry was devastated but life had to go on. She asked for financial
help from government officials for her parents’ medicines and laboratory expenses.
“When I learned that German doctors were on a health mission in a nearby town, I
brought my mother there several times. My parents should still be taking their
medications but oftentimes they miss because we have to prioritize our food,” Cherry
says.

Cherry recalls the instance when at a fund-raising activity in school, her group met
a bloodied boy on the street. Instantly, Cherry carried the boy to the nearest hospital,
brought out the P1,500 gathered from the fund-raising, and asked the doctors to attend to
the sick child. After making sure that the boy was out of danger, Cherry went to her
adviser to borrow P5,000 for the hospital bill. She paid her debt after organizing another
fund-raising activity. “If you see that something is wrong, and you think you can
contribute to changing it, then you have a responsibility to do it,” Cherry says.

One day, a stunning surprise was again, awaiting her: the marble-like growth on
her brother’s lower ear was cancerous. Cherry watched helplessly while his brother’s
body deteriorated. The sight scared her but she showed a brave front to her family. The
emotion still fresh in her voice, she says, “I approached our well-to-do townmates and
asked for help once again.” Through financial dole-outs, her brother was able to undergo
four chemotherapy sessions at P25,000 each. “He is still short of two sessions but in
cases such as these, somebody up there takes care of it,” Cherry says pointing above.

Barely glancing up from her seat, Cherry shares her deepest feelings, “I am fiercely
protective of my family and I want to give them a better life.”

Cherry graduated class valedictorian, president of the Supreme Student Council, a

champion parliamentarian, hailed as Ambassador of Peace, and a recipient of various
leadership and skills awards.

Cherry is now a Department of Science and Technology full scholar at the Central
Mindanao University taking up Food Technology. Her first P3,000 monthly stipend from
DOST was utilized for her siblings’ school supplies. She also gave a few hundreds to her
mother to start a sari-sari store. “Kailangan naming kumita para sa araw-araw naming
pangangailangan,“ Cherry says with tremendous pride and joy written on her face.

When asked of her plans now that she was given an award of P20,000 as the year’s
Pambansang Ulirang Kabataan, Cherry leans back on her chair and grins, “panimula sa
backyard piggery business ng father ko.”

Things seem to be going well for Cherry and she is very thankful for all the
blessings. This girl knows about poverty. But she also knows about generosity – not
giving what you have, but giving what someone else’s needs. She intends to serve as a
Samahang Kabataan in her town, pursue her youth development projects, open jobs to the
poor, and conduct youth symposia on the importance of education. She also dreams of
becoming the President of the Philippines and promises not to be eaten by the “system”
because according to her, the Lord will be her guide.

Sitting across a small table, wearing a cotton shirt over denim pants, I asked if she
has gone back to her school in her elementary grades, she snaps, “not yet, but I will visit
them soon,” while she turns to gaze out the window at passing clouds.

Cherry Oro of region 10 was chosen national winner during the 3rd Pambansang
Gawad sa Ulirang Kabataan held at the Colonial Ballroom, Palm Plaza Hotel, Malate
Manila on June 11. The awarding ceremony was in connection with the observance of the
109th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence.

By Maribel Cabasal

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AUGUST 12, 2009
DepEd, partners make healthy, happy kidsFOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AUGUST 12, 2009
The Department of Education, Philippine Dental Association (PDA), and
Lamoiyan Corporation launch a project today that will surely put smiles to some
8,200 preschool kids in 86 schools nationwide.
Education Secretary Jesli Lapus, PDA President Dr. Leo Gerald De Castro and
Lamoiyan Corporation CEO Dr. Cecilio Pedro signed into an agreement the
Happy Smiles for Healthy Kids project, which will bring to schools health
intervention programs. The launch was held in Bagong Ilog Elementary School
in Pasig City.
The project is under DepEd’s Essential Health Care Program (EHCP), which
aims to improve students’ academic performance and reduce drop-out rate by
addressing their health and dental concerns.
The event highlight was the turnover of EHCP packages to target beneficiaries.
The package has a toothbrush, soap, and access to toothpaste. During the
event, PDA also held oral education and oral examinations for pupils and
parents.
The EHCP is a simple, cost-effective school-based health program of DepEd
being implemented in public schools in partnership with the local government
units, the private sector and other community stakeholders.
Lamoiyan Corporation is a Filipino brand and maker of Hapee Toothpaste.
PDA is comprised of 156 licensed dentist members involved in the development
of workable oral health programs in public elementary schools and communities.
The goal is to increase their level of oral health care awareness thus decreasing
the incidence of dental caries.
Based on a recent Nationwide Oral Health Survey (NOHS) initiated by the
Department of Education some 97 percent of six-year old Filipino school
children have poor dental habits, resulting to learning difficulty.
DepEd’s Adopt –A School Program and Health and Nutrition Center are the lead
government agencies in the ECHP.
END

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PRESS RELEASE
Free breakfast for better school performance
Public school students from Oranbo Elementary School in Pasig City will receive
free breakfast meals from sauce and condiments company NutriAsia in the next
six months to improve student nutrition and school performance.
“Breakfast feeding is among the projects of the Department of Education
(DepEd) to increase participation rate among our students while addressing the
incidence of drop-outs and malnutrition,” explained Education Secretary Br.
Armin Luistro FSC.
“Studies have shown that there are many children who come to school on an
empty stomach. Learning is severely affected when students are hungry which,
in turn, results to poor school performance and eventual dropping out,” added
Luistro.
At 7:00am from August 2010 to January 2011, personnel from the NutriAsia
Group will serve public school children with warm breakfast before they start
classes. Rice meals with choice of vegetables, pork, or fish will be served along
with fruits and milk-choco or choco drinks.
“We appeal to parents to help us sustain the feeding program at home,” said
NutriAsia President and COO Noel Lorenzana in a launching held recently at
Oranbo Elementary School. “We have seen positive results from feeding
programs and we would like to have that same result in our program – improved
weight of children and higher achievement levels.”
Gabay sa Kalusugan Feeding and Nutrition Program is NutriAsia’s joint project
with DepEd that costs some P5 million. Their target beneficiaries for this year
are 700 Grade 1 to Grade 3 pupils from three schools in Luzon, one in Cebu
and one in Davao.
Parents, school personnel, and NutriAsia employees will work together to feed
these children everyday. A nutritionist will also be around to see if the serving
size is right and has nutritional content. Each beneficiary’s weight and height
will be measured periodically and the grades closely watched by their class
advisers.
Present during the launching is Oranbo Barangay Captain Richard Pua and
DepEd Pasig City Schools Division Superintendent Florentina Lizano. Pua
thanks NutriAsia for the program that he believes will help children of his
constituents stay in school.
END

DepEd stands up against poverty

 Employees of the Department of Education endured the sweltering afternoon heat as they
answered the call to unite against poverty in the Philippines and around the globe during a
rally in front of the DepEd offices in Pasig City on October 17, 2007.

The event "Stand Up, Speak Out" gathered staff from various DepEd departments clad in
white – the color symbolizing the fight against poverty and global hunger.

In accordance with Presidential Proclamation 717 which declares October 17-23 of this and
succeeding years as the National Week for Overcoming Poverty, students and teachers from
public schools across the country were likewise enjoined to participate and conduct their own
programs for the campaign. These include the Food For School Program, and classroom
discussions as well as various competitions advocating poverty reduction through awareness.

The local theme for this year's campaign "Kumilos, Manindigan, Labanan ang Kahirapan"
complements the international theme "Stand Up, Speak Out Against Poverty and for the
Millenium Development Goals". Set by the United Nations, the theme challenges individuals
as well as various sectors of society – government agencies, non-government organizations
and private institutions – to take an active role in alleviating the condition of the poor.

"DepEd is a core member of the National Anti-Poverty Commission and as such we are
determined to create programs that will enable the community to be more involved in the fight
against poverty," Undersecretary Ramon Bacani explained. "The fight against poverty is not
ours alone. It is the fight of every Filipino. Indeed, it concerns each individual in this planet.
Poverty affects us all. It is only through a united effort that we can end it."

END
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 19, 2007
UN cites DepEd on campaign against
poverty
The Department of Education (DepEd) received a commendation from the United
Nations for helping set a new Guinness World Record of 43,716,440 for the most
number of people ever to mobilize against poverty in a 24-hour period.
Salil Shetty, director of the United Nations Millennium Campaign and Nileema Noble,
UN resident coordinator in the Philippines lauded the Department for participating in the
event to end poverty and inequality and living up to the promise of achieving the UN
Millennium Development Goals (MDG), as part of a global movement of likeminded
citizens.
“We are one with the UN in the effort of alleviating poverty, in particular in achieving
universal primary education,” Education Secretary Jesli A. Lapus said.
Of the 7.1 million Filipinos who supported the movement, 2.8 million or 39.44 percent
was mobilized by the DepEd. The number of Filipinos who stood up for the campaign
accounted for 16 percent of the 43.7 million people who participated from 127 countries
around the world.
The Philippines ranked second in Asia and the Pacific in the Guinness World Record in
the Stand Up and Speak Out Movement to fight poverty and achieve the MDG set by
the UN.
On behalf of the UN team in the Philippines, Noble expressed appreciation for the
tremendous show of support and commitment to the UN October Month celebration
which was highlighted by the 2007 Stand Up, Speak Out campaign on October 17.
“Filipinos from all walks of life came together to make their voices heard and urged
leaders to act and fight poverty to in order to keep their promise of meeting the MDG by
2015,” Noble said in a statement.
The MDG has eight goals: eradicate extreme poverty and hunger; achieve universal
primary education; promote gender equality and empower women; reduce child
mortality; improve maternal health; combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases;
ensure environmental sustainability and develop a global partnership for development.
These goals form a blueprint agreed to by all the world’s countries and all the world’s
leading development institutions. They have galvanized unprecedented efforts to meet
the needs of the world’s poorest.
In a recent mid-term MDG progress report, the Philippines noted significant gains in
meeting the MDG challenge provided that measures to overcome poverty are
sustained. The same report said that in order to address hunger and nutrition, cohort
survival rate, maternal mortality and access to reproductive health services there is a
need for more resources and an accelerated implementation of interventions both at the
national and local levels.
END

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
27 MAY 2008
School health, nutrition congress kicks off
on May 28
Recognizing the direct link of the health of schoolchildren to academic
performance, the Department of Education shall conduct the 2008 National
School Health and Nutrition Congress on May 28 to 30 at Teachers Camp,
Baguio City to highlight the innovations in health care delivery in public schools.
The Congress is initiated by DepEd’s School Health and Nutrition Center and
the Adopt-a-School secretariat.
Carrying the theme “The Changing Face of School Health Now and into the
Future,” the convergence will be attended by school health officials, medical
officers, dentists, nurses, and other school health personnel including officials
from partner agencies and Adopt-a-School Program coordinators across the
country.
“We are expecting 1,500 delegates from the regions, divisions, schools as well
as representatives from partner agencies and private organizations,” SHNC
Director Thelma Santos said.
Secretary Jesli Lapus shall be the keynote speaker of the congress.
One of the highlights of the four-day gathering is the awarding of the outstanding
school health personnel and retirees.
This year’s congress seeks to present assessment of collaborative effort to
mitigate hunger and improve health as well as academic achievements of public
school children.
It also aims to provide platforms to sustain health programs and forge
commitment and grand alliances with stakeholders for school health.
Some 26 partner agencies including non-government organizations are invited
to participate in this event of national impact.
End