BONTOC, Mountain Province (PIA)--The Department of Education-Cordillera Administrative Region (DepEd-CAR) hosted on August 17 a regional virtual visit cum online press conference with Education Secretary Leonor M. Briones where plans and preparations for School Year 2021-2022 were discussed.
Participated by the different schools division offices and media practitioners across theCordillera, this activity with the Secretary is her way to “visit” the region during this COVID-19 pandemic as well as provide an avenue for DepEd officials to answer issues and concerns through the local media.
DepEd CAR Regional Director Estela Cariño welcomed all the participants and guests to the activity that opened with the presentation of their accomplishments for the school year 2020-2021 highlighting on practices they adopted in providing basic education amidst the pandemic.
Briones lauded Baguio City National High School for being one the 20 schools in the Philippines that have top scores in the 2019 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) particlarly in the Reading, Science and Math.
The Secretary announced that there will be no face-to-face classes still for the upcoming school year that starts in September 13. It will be blended learning with expanded role of parents who have to assist their children in their lessons, and for teachers who have to check on the progress of the learners.
She informed that they have proposed to pilot test limited face to face classes to least 100 schools in the country but they are still awaiting for the approval of the President.
For learning materials, Briones said the Department is leaning towards the use of information and communications technologies as using printed materials is more expensive. DepEd is investing heavily on ICT for the realization of providing phones to teachers and learners.
Undersecretary for Finance Annalyn M. Sevilla discussed cash incentives for teachers that include monetary compensation during the celebration of World Teachers Day to the provision of cash allowance. She also mentioned career opportunities for all teachers.
In the virtual press conference facilitated by Head Executive Assistant, Dir. Nina Bianca Sanglay and DepEd-CAR Information Officer Georaloy L. Palao-ay, Briones and her undersecretaries readily answered questions from the local media.
The Secretary assured that DepEd will continue to provide quality education under the new normal amidst the challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic continue to pose. (JDP/VLT-PIA CAR, Mt. Province)
