October 5, 2011

PRESS RELEASE
DepEd pays tribute to teachers
"We know the tremendous amount of work you do each day and we salute you as our
unsung heroes. Please do not give up on the Filipino children.
This is the important message that Education Secretary Armin Luistro gave to the
10,000 teachers present during the grand celebration of the World Teachers' Day today,
October 5, at the PhilSports Arena (formerly ULTRA), as the Department of Education
leads the nation in giving recognition to the nobility of purpose and profession that
teachers stand for.
"This is the day that was allotted for all of us to remember our teachers fondly and to
remind ourselves that teaching is a very challenging job that not everyone can do,
because not everyone can multitask like teachers do, Luistro stresses as he pays
tribute to the teachers and the critical role they play in society.
Among the personalities who have taken their time off to personally salute the country's
teachers is Vice President Jejomar C. Binay. Commission on Higher Education
Chairperson Patricia Licuanan and Technical Education and Skills Development
Authority Director-General Joel Villanueva, along with members of the upper and lower
houses and the cabinet.
Also joining the teachers from the National Capital Region, CaLaBaRZon, and Central
Luzon are various teacher organizations.
" hope that all the teachers present here realize this that teaching is not just spouting
scholarly knowledge. f it were, then it wouldn't be so hard. Teaching is also parenting,
counseling, advising, nurturing, understanding, forgiving, analyzing, distinguishing,
classifying, adjusting, etcetera, etcetera practically every verb in our language that
speaks to the heart. n this day and age of high-speed technology and communications
via computer that is what we need - teachers with heart, Luistro tells the teachers
from the live audience.
One of the highlights of the celebration is a tribute to Teacher Carmen Pascual, now 91
years old, who dedicated 43 years of her life molding young minds and making a
difference in her students' lives. DepEd has learned about her after it received a letter
from an 82-year-old publishing executive Teresa Alvina seeking the help of Luistro in
finding her former high school teacher (Teacher Pascual) whom she wanted to thank 63
years later.
ndeed, teachers are most influential when they touch hearts at the same time that they
teach minds, just like how Teacher Pascual did in Alvina's life. As Luistro puts it, their
story explains the very essence of the World Teachers' Day celebration. "Even though
we don't really aspire to be treated as heroes by our students, we cannot deny that it
feels good to be appreciated by them especially after slaving away at this oftentimes-
thankless job.
Artists and singers were also invited to render their performances in honor of the
country's dear teachers. These include Anne Curtis, Ogie Alcasid, Sam Milby, Sitti,
Princess Velasco, Nanette nventor, Sam Concepcion, Nyoy Volante, Jamie Rivera,
Tippy dos Santos, Mike Chan, Joseph Valerio, Gerald Santos, and The Lamars.
END
eptember 23, 2011
PRESS RELEASE
DepEd upgrades science teaching with new equipment

The Department of Education has released some P330 million in producing science
equipment which was delivered to 435 public secondary high schools nationwide to
improve the students' learning and appreciation of science concepts and its
applications.

Following this, DepEd through its National Science Teaching and nstrumentation
Center (NSTC) will hold a national consultative conference on the use of science
equipment in Cebu City to prepare teachers on the proper handling and maintenance of
these equipment.

Education Secretary Armin A. Luistro said the NSTC together with Regional Science
Supervisors and BSE representatives will review and finalize the experiment and repair
and maintenance manuals which will be used for the subsequent regional training
workshops which is set to start in October to cover the country's 17 regions. NSTC and
the NSTC- trained regional trainors will train one science teacher per science subject
area (ntegrated Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics) in each recipient school.

"The training is very important for the science teachers to master the use and
application of the new science equipment as well as the maintenance procedures to
ensure long-term use of these equipment, Luistro added.

A stronger science and technology curriculum in basic education is in the ten-point
education agenda of President Aquino aimed at producing graduates who are geared
towards a science and technology-driven economy.

Related to this, DepEd has added 100 new special science elementary schools this
year, bringing to 200 the total number of elementary schools offering a specialized
curriculum focused on the sciences.

"The marching order is for us to continue to find ways to develop a new generation of
science and technology-savvy graduates who will bring us to new levels of economic
progress, explained Luistro.

The list of equipment, instruments and science learning tools include:

or Integrated Science : Aneroid Barometer, Assorted Glassware, Triple Beam
Balance, Terrestrial Globe, Seismograph Model, Anemometer with Wind Vane,
Magnetic Compass, Connecting Wires, Magnets, Alcohol Burner, Ring and Ball
Apparatus, Various Conductor and non-conductor materials, Sun-Earth-Moon Model,
Constellarium, Hydrometer, Rock Samples, Astronomical Telescope and Alcohol
Thermometer, Maps, Map of World Climates, Map of Philippine Climates, Map of
Philippine Volcanoes, Map of Starts, Posters, Layers of the Earth, The Richter
Magnitude Scale and various consumables.

or BioIogy: Compound Microscope, Dissecting Set, Human Torso Model, Human
Skeleton Model, Animal Mitosis Model, Assorted Glassware, Alcohol Thermometer,
Triple Beam Balance, Cork Borers, Glass Slides, Assorted Chemicals and
Consumables, Alcohol Burner and Safety Glasses and Home Gloves, Charts, Plant
Cell, Animal Cell, Development of an Embryo, Mendel's Law, Gene Map of Human
Chromosomes, Food Pyramid, and Flower and Seed Structure.

or Chemistry : Alcohol Thermometer, Assorted Glassware, Electrolysis Apparatus,
Cork Borers, Reagent Bottles, Triple Beam Balance, Alcohol Burner, Calorimeter,
Burette, Pipette, Bunsen Burner, LGP Tank with gas, Osmosis Apparatus, Conductivity
Apparatus, Condenser, pH Meter, Safety Glasses and Hand Gloves, Assorted
Chemicals and Consumables, Charts and Cabinets for Corrosive Materials, Periodic
Table of Elements, Laboratory Safety Rules, Basic Laboratory Apparatus.

or Physics : Archimedes Principle Apparatus, Open U-tube Manometer, Air Blower,
Light Bulb and Dry Cell, Set of Connectors, Resistance Box, ntroduction to Ratio-
activity Kit, Switches, DC Ammeter, DC Voltmeter, Galvanometer, Set of Coils, Motor-
Generator Model, Set of Hard Tools, Advanced Electromagnetism Kit, Graphing
Calculator, Basic Electronics Kits, Fuse with Holder, Variable Power Supply, Turning
Fork Set, Resonance Tube Set, Sound Signal Generator Kit, Loud Speaker, Wave
Demonstration Set, DC String Vibrator, Musical nstrument, Basic Lens Set, Prism,
Refraction Blocks, Refraction Tank, Student Optical Bench Set, Multimeter, Logic Gates
Trainer and Assorted Glassware and Consumables Chart, Electromagnetic Spectrum
and Radioactive Elements.


October 10, 2011
PRESS RELEASE
ASEAN quiz bee eIimination gets going
The national competition for the 5
th
Association of South East Asia Nation (ASEAN)
Quiz will be held on November 22 to 25, 2011 at the People's Television Broadcast
Center in Quezon City to determine the country's representative to the regional quiz in
Cambodia next year.
The ASEAN Quiz is a project of the ASEAN Committee on Culture and nformation to
foster healthy competition among ASEAN youth in a quiz that exposes them to ASEAN
history, social, cultural, political and economic developments in the region.
Student participants in the national competition must be third year high school students
either from a public or a private school, between 14 to 17 years old.
"This is a good venue for our ASEAN youth to build camaraderie and solidarity because
these young people will surely play a great role for the region's prosperity and peace in
the years ahead, said Education Secretary Armin Luistro.
Ten ASEAN member-countries will participate in the two-level competition. The first
level is the national competition held in the respective countries and the regional
competition which is hosted by the ASEAN Quiz country coordinator for the year.
Previous regional competitions were held in Thailand (2002), Brunei Darussalam
(2004), Malaysia (2006), and the Philippines in 2009.
Before making it to the national competition, local and regional division offices are
encouraged to conduct their own search from September to October for one student
who shall represent the region and compete in the national level.
The three students with the highest scores in the national competition shall be declared
as the first, second and third place winners who will then represent the country to the
5
th
ASEAN Quiz in Cambodia next year.
Aside from DepEd and PTV 4, other government agencies that will help ensure the
success of the event are the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Presidential
Communications Operations Office, Philippine nformation Agency and the Philippine
Broadcasting System.
END
September 2, 2011
PRESS RELEASE
DepEd vigorousIy pushes environmentaI education in pubIic and
private schooIs

Strengthen environmental education and match this with concrete school-based
activities that will preserve and protect the environment.
This is the marching order of Education Secretary Armin Luistro to both public and
private schools nationwide as contained in DepEd Order No. 52 s. 2011. The move of
the education chief is pursuant to Republic Act 9512 entitled "An Act to Promote
Environmental Education and for other Purposes.
" urge all public and private schools to take the lead in promoting environmental
awareness by enhancing environmental education and by pursuing activities in schools
that nurture the environment, said Luistro.
Toward this end, DepEd directs all public and private schools to intensify lessons
regarding environment on all science subjects, in classroom discussions, drills and
activities.
To integrate environmental protection in related learning areas, Luistro instructed the
DepEd's Bureau of Elementary Education, Bureau of Secondary Education and the
Alternative Learning Systems to review the existing curricula and adjust them
accordingly.
Relative to this, Luistro also ordered the creation of Youth for Environment in School
Organizations (YES-O) in all public and private elementary (Grades 4 to 6) and
secondary schools and have them registered in the Division Office. The YES-O shall
take the lead in implementing environmental activities and advocacies of their
respective schools.
Student membership should be voluntary and no membership fee shall be collected
from the students. "We want environmental concern to grow naturally from the hearts of
our young that is why we give them enough elbow room to grow but with clear
guidelines, explained Luistro.
Subject to the rules and regulations of the schools, the YES-O may be allowed to
conduct fund-raising activities within the school premises to support environmental
programs and activities. YES-O shall be under the supervision of DepEd's Center for
Students and Co-Curricular Affairs.
Meanwhile, Luistro also instructed school officials and teachers to use instructional
materials such as books, visual aids, teaching guides and materials to reinforce the
teaching of environmental issues.
END
August 25, 2011
PRESS RELEASE
New guideIines and date of exam for NCAE
The Department of Education announces the amendments to the administration of the
National Career Assessment Examination (NCAE) including the change of examination
date which has been moved from August 31, 2011 to September 28, 2011.
NCAE which used to be given to fourth year high school students is now administered
for third year high school students both in public and private secondary schools. Also
covered to take the NCAE are fourth year high school students who are applying for
scholarship programs offered by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and
Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
"We deem it better to administer the NCAE to third year high school students to give
them sufficient time for comprehensive career guidance before they enter the tertiary
level, said Education Secretary Armin Luistro.
DepEd Order No. 28 s. 2011 stipulates that the fourth year students who will take the
NCAE for CHED and TESDA scholarship should belong to the top ten percent (10%) of
each secondary high school regardless of school size. Also, they should have a general
weighted average of eighty percent (80%) in third year and should come from a family
whose gross annual income is not more than P300,000.
A letter of intent signed by the parents of the examinees must be submitted signifying
that they are interested to apply for the CHED/TESDA scholarship. NCAE is also open
to other interested fourth year students, out-of-school youth and A & E passers.
The results of the NCAE will show the interest and career inclination of the student,
whether it is technical-vocational, entrepreneurial, or a full college education course.
"This way parents and students will be guided on what career track is best to take after
high school graduation, and we want to remind people that the result of the NCAE is not
mandatory but recommendatory, explained Luistro.
The NCAE is an important tool of the government to address job mismatch, cut
unemployment rate, and reverse the local "brain drain phenomenon. Present conditions
indicate that a large number of college graduates fail to find appropriate employment
suited for the course they finished. This has resulted in unemployment and oversupply
of college graduates in white collar jobs while resulting in shortages in skilled
manpower.
The NCAE is an assessment of students' aptitudes and skills and estimates what field
or discipline the student can excel in. t is non-discriminatory for people who have
aptitude for technical-vocational and entrepreneurial courses.
END


August 1, 2011
PRESS RELEASE
Comprehensive study must back September opening - DepEd
Responding to the call of some sectors to move the June school opening to September,
the Department of Education reiterates that it is open to any proposal that will help
improve the learning conditions of students and that it continues to look thoroughly into
the advantages and disadvantages should school opening be moved to September.
"The very aim of the department is to provide quality education to all our students. As
much as possible, we do not want any disruption that will affect our students' learning.
Thus, we are open to any proposal that will help us achieve our goal. But whether or not
to move the opening of classes to September, one of the major considerations should
be the comfort of our schoolchildren while they are in school, said Education Secretary
Armin Luistro.
Luistro shared that the proposal to move the opening of classes to September has been
studied in 2009.
n a survey conducted by the department between August to September 2009, 13 of 16
regions are not in favor of moving classes to September. Only Region (Central
Luzon) with 54%, Region V (Western Visayas) with 68%, and Region X (Western
Mindanao) with 51% were in favor.
Of the respondents, 66% were against the move while 34% were in favor.
The study revealed that those who opposed said that the high temperature during
summer months (April to May) will not be conducive to students' learning. Also, during
these months, classrooms will need additional ventilation which in turn will increase the
schools' electricity bills.
"We are not saying no to the proposal but we recommend that the current weather
conditions and the effects of climate change as well as the frequency of typhoons hitting
specific parts of the country be considered when we talk of moving the school opening
to September, Luistro expressed.
DepEd cited that during typhoons, floods, and other calamities, only some parts of the
country are affected and only involve a number of schools and a small part of the entire
student population nationwide. On the contrary, during summer season, the entire
country experiences the discomfort hot temperature brings. And this is what the
students in the public schools will have to endure for more than two months.
Other reasons cited for not favoring the proposal include the usual practice where
summer months are spent for family bonding and other activities such as traditional
celebrations like Holy Week, town fiestas, and Flores de Mayo. These celebrations held
during summer would affect the attendance of children in school.
Also, students usually work during summer for extra income for their school expenses.
Of 197 school divisions, 145 or 74 % participated in the survey. The respondents came
from schools in divisions nationwide and included teachers, parents, local government
officials and other stakeholders.
Luistro said that DepEd has been exploring various means to still allow affected
students catch up with their lessons."Right now, we have alternative delivery modes that
allow us to continue holding classes even if classrooms are used as evacuation centers.
Our school heads and field officials also employ several strategies such as holding of
make-up classes to ensure continuity of learning.
END
uly 26, 2011
PRESS RELEASE
DepEd: CeIebrate Buwan ng Wika with fervor and patriotism
The country observes the whole month of August as "Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa" in
grateful celebration of having a common language that unites the whole nation.
Spearheaded by the 4misy4n ng Wikang Filipin4 and the Department of Education, a
lineup of activities has been firmed up to draw maximum participation from students
who themselves are the biggest group that uses and studies the national language as
part of their school lesson.
According to Education Secretary Armin Luistro, the month-long celebration of the
national language is divided into five parts. From August 1 to 7, the focus is in giving
importance to the national language which will be highlighted by taking to heart the
lyrics of the national anthem.
" think this generation has to revisit and better appreciate the significance of every word
and the depth of nationalism embodied in our national anthem, said Luistro.
From August 8 to 14, the highlight is on the importance of the national language in
enforcing discipline that will lead to national development. For this, the text of the pledge
of allegiance to the Philippine flag will be dissected and put to heart. The schools are
encouraged to stage plays and writing contests that emphasize why discipline is
important in achieving progress.
On August 15 to 21, the theme is the use of language as an instrument to achieve
freedom and justice. Schools are encouraged to conduct a symposium on the history of
the country's struggle for freedom and the holding of debate following the theme "Ang
ahalagahan ng Wika sa Larangan ng atarungan."
For the week of August 22 to 28, the theme is "Wikang Filipin4 Tug4n sa Malinaw na
Pr4grama sa Tuwid na Landas." The week will be about composing songs and writing
poetry on the programs being pursued by the government such as caring for the
environment, cleanliness and promotion of national language.
The remaining days of August will be anchored on the celebration of the Filipino
language as the voice of teachers, students, and the language of heroism.
Luistro said this will be observed by celebrating the ideals by which our national hero
Dr. Jose Rizal lived and died for the motherland. Schools are also expected to come up
with programs that will make students understand why the langauge is the light and
strength of a nation.
END
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CSLC CCMMunlCA1lCnS r uLLu CCMLLx ML8ALCC AvLnuL ASlC Cl1? 1600
1 (02) 6316033 r l (02) 6364876 r WL8Sl1L wwwdepedgovph r LMAlL
depedcommunlcaLlons[gmallcom
8LSS 8LLLASL
uepLd SupporL MuCs volunLeer for educaLlon
As Lhe governmenL beefs up lLs efforLs Lo move closer Lowards hlLLlng Lhe 2013
Mlllennlum uevelopmenL Coal (MuC) LargeLs Lhe ueparLmenL of LducaLlon
(uepLd) reafflrms lLs commlLmenL Lo achleve unlversal prlmary educaLlon and
Lhe LducaLlon lor All (LlA) goals
WlLh Lhe declaraLlon of resldenL 8enlgno S Aqulno lll of ?ear 2011 as Lhe 10
Lh
Annlversary of Lhe lnLernaLlonal ?ear of volunLeers (l?v + 10) ln Lhe hlllpplnes
uepLd vows Lo explore means Lo lnlLlaLe approprlaLe programs ln keeplng wlLh
Lhe counLry's commlLmenL Lo democraLlze access Lo quallLy educaLlon as parL of
lLs LlA goals as well as Lhe counLry's MuC LargeLs by 2013 1hls year's
celebraLlon carrles Lhe global Lheme volunLeerlng for Lhe MuCs"
We belleve LhaL Lhe Lheme perfecLly deflnes how LlA goal ls aLLalnable lf
llllplnos from all walks of llfe are able Lo volunLeer for Lhe cause of educaLlon ln
Lhe counLry We keep on saylng LhaL alLhough uepLd ls mandaLed Lo provlde
baslc educaLlon Lo Lhe llllplno chlldren educaLlon ls noL uepLd's concern alone
buL everybody's buslness We are all accounLable ln Lhe educaLlon of our
people" sald LducaLlon SecreLary Armln LulsLro
ln supporL of Lhe resldenLlal roclamaLlon no 92 by Lhe deparLmenL lssued
uepLd Memo no 32 serles 2011 Lo lnform all concerned offlces wlLh Lhe sald
Lheme as gulde
LulsLro added LhaL Lhe LlA goal more Lhan a commlLmenL ls a guldlng prlnclple
Lo make baslc educaLlon accesslble Lo as many learners LhaL Lhe hlllpplnes can
conslder a solld lnvesLmenL for Lhe fuLure
1he MuCs are Lo eradlcaLe exLreme hunger and poverLy Lo achleve unlversal
prlmary educaLlon Lo promoLe gender equallLy and empower women Lo reduce
of chlld morLallLy Lo lmprove of maLernal healLh Lo combaL Plv/AluS Malarla
and oLher dlseases Lo ensure envlronmenLal susLalnablllLy and Lo develop a
global parLnershlp for developmenL
lor uepLd lLs maln concern ls MuC no 2 1he only way Lo achleve reforms ln
educaLlon and Lo achleve unlversal prlmary educaLlon as well as Lo address
resource gaps ls Lo engage all secLors of socleLy We should revlve Lhe splrlL of
bayanlhan" LulsLro sald
1he roclamaLlon sLaLed LhaL volunLeerlsm conLlnues Lo be a culLural LradlLlon
upheld and pracLlced by Lhe llllplnos generaLlon afLer generaLlon permeaLlng
Lhe naLlonal psyche wlLh humanlLarlan values"
1he governmenL recognlzes Lhe conLrlbuLlons of Lhe volunLeer secLor ln naLlon
bulldlng and Lhls provldes legal framework Lo creaLe an enabllng envlronmenL
for Lhe promoLlon and sLrengLhenlng of volunLeerlsm ln Lhe counLry"
roclamaLlon no2 furLhereduLA81MLn1 Cl LuuCA1lCn | ClllCL Cl 1PL SLC8L1A8?
CSLC CCMMunlCA1lCnS r uLLu CCMLLx ML8ALCC AvLnuL ASlC Cl1? 1600
1 (02) 6316033 r l (02) 6364876 r WL8Sl1L wwwdepedgovph r LMAlL
depedcommunlcaLlons[gmallcom
1hls ls Lhe very ldea LhaL Lhe deparLmenL ls Lrylng Lo pracLlce when we explore
ways by whlch we can provlde Lhe besL quallLy educaLlon posslble Lo our youLh
Among Lhe ways ls Lo engage all educaLlon sLakeholders parLlcularly Lhe
communlLy and Lhe local governmenL so LhaL we can creaLe llnkages Lo upgrade
Lhe quallLy of educaLlon ln Lhe counLry 1he comlng LogeLher of educaLlon
sLakeholders wlll be one of Lhe many avenues LhaL wlll lead uepLd Lo Lhe
fulflllmenL of lLs LlA goal" noLed LulsLro
Cne example of bayanlhan ln Lhe deparLmenL ls Lhe decenLrallzaLlon ln
educaLlon managemenL Lhrough schoolbased managemenL (S8M) lL ls now ln
full swlng glvlng school heads Lhe responslblllLy Lo secure resources for Lhe
school Lhrough neLworklng wlLh communlLy sLakeholders S8M ls among Lhe flve
key reform LhrusLs of 8aslc LducaLlon SecLor 8eform Agenda (8LS8A) Lo
faclllLaLe Lhe aLLalnmenL of Lhe LlA goal and ob[ecLlves
Almed aL sysLemaLlcally lmprovlng baslc educaLlon ouLcomes naLlonwlde
8LS8A has been effecLlng lmprovemenLs ln Lhe baslc educaLlon sysLem Among
lLs ma[or accompllshmenLs are Lhe formulaLlon lssuance and adopLlon of key
pollcles needed Lo puL ln place a Lransformed baslc educaLlon sysLem
Meanwhlle on !anuary Lhe goal of uepLd Lo address perennlal classroom
shorLage ln publlc schools ls creaLlng a bandwagon effecL afLer Lhe League of
ClLles of Lhe hlllpplnes and League of MunlclpallLles of Lhe hlllpplnes each
enLered lnLo an agreemenL wlLh uepLd Lo equally share Lhe cosL of bulldlng
classrooms ln areas where Lhere are shorLages
LasL year Lhe deparLmenL lnlLlaLed new parLnershlp modallLles on Lop of lLs
successful AdopLASchool rogram uepLd has sLrengLhened parLnershlps wlLh
Lhe prlvaLe secLor local governmenL unlLs leglslaLors Lhe academe and
developmenL parLners Lo address urgenL needs
LulsLro calls upon all llllplnos Lo lnvesL ln Lhe fuLure of Lhls counLry by Lurnlng
lnLo educaLlon volunLeers" and by supporLlng Lhe deparLmenL's LhrusL for blgger
lmprovemenLs as uepLd upholds lLs commlLmenL Lo Lhe world
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