DEPED POSITIVE ABOUT GMRC RE-INTRODUCTION IN THE BASIC EDUCATION AND

PROMOTES ALS

Mrs. Vilma Eda, the Schools Division Superintendent of Laoag City welcomed the re-
introduction of the Good Manners and Right Conduct or GMRC subject in the basic education
following the approval of RA11476 known as GMRC and Values Education Act which was
signed into law yesterday, June 25, 2020.
“It is good and very timely. I am very glad that GMRC is back in the curriculum,” said
Mrs. Eda during her interview on Oplan Balik Eskuwela Program aired over DWAT 93.9 this
noon. “The implementation of GMRC will depend on the guidelines or IRR set by the
department in-charge of such,” she added. Furthermore, Mrs. Eda reiterated the importance of
character formation first and foremost before the skills of reading or arithmetic.
On other issues, Mrs. Eda informed everyone about the importance of
telecommunication companies in the delivery of online classes during this COVID-19 as the
Division Office is trying to simulate as many classes which started this week and in the coming
weeks to come. The success of online classes depends so much on the capacity of
telecommunication companies in order for DepEd to facilitate online classes. Mrs. Eda
expressed her gratitude to different Local Government Units or LGUs and the Provincial
Government of Ilocos Norte who are very supportive of all the initiatives being done by DepEd
Laoag.
Due to the increase number of enrollees in public schools, Mrs. Eda reiterated the
importance of private schools as partners in the delivery of quality education. The low turnout of
enrollees in private schools will become an added problem in public schools. Thus, the
government is trying its best to improve on its voucher system.
Meanwhile, the Schools Division of Laoag City prepares for the influx of students who
are unable to attend formal schooling due to the COVID – 19 pandemic thru its Alternative
Learning System. The Alternative Learning System of ALS provides a practical option
particularly among Out of School Youths who need basic and functional literacy skills,
knowledge and values.
Ms. Jenelyn G. Soliman, an ALS Mobile Teacher shared that the department is ready in
the delivery of ALS education even during this time of COVID -19 thru its established centers in
various barangays in Laoag City. She added that the United nations Children Fund or UNICEF
has created a website for ALS which contains various learning modules, digitized modules,
interactive materials and the like which are very useful for ALS students.
In addition, Mr. Jeffrey C. del Rosario added that out of school youths who are 12 years
old and under are qualified for elementary education while 16 years old and above are qualified
for Junior High School.
According to Mr. Juanito Labao, Education Program Supervisor of SDO Laoag-CID,ALS
is the best options of those who are unable to study because of work. Due to its flexible study
time, there are a number of adults who have successfully graduated with degrees thru the
Alternative Learning System.Moreover r, Mr. Labao mentioned about the success of DepEd’s
ALIVE project in the Division of Laoag City where at present it caters to more than 20 students
who can now speak Arabic. The students are from the Muslim community but he reiterates that
the project is open even for non-Muslims willing to learn Arabic and Muslim values.