Officials and section heads of the Schools Division Office of Calamba City engaged in planning sessions to refine the division’s long-term education strategies during the Finalization of the Division Education Development Plan (DEDP) for Fiscal Year 2025–2035, at Sotogrande Hotel and Convention Center Batangas, on March 10–11, 2026.

 

Aimed at strengthening long-term educational strategies in the division, the participants reviewed education indicators and aligned proposed strategies with the division’s priority outcomes for the next ten years.

 

In her message, SDS Merthel M. Evardome emphasized that strategies and interventions must be grounded in situational analysis, baseline data, and empirical indicators rather than assumptions or template compliance. She underscored the importance of using graphs, charts, tables, and comparative data to diagnose education issues such as reading proficiency, numeracy gaps, classroom shortages, and program implementation challenges.

 

The planning session examined the division’s local learning challenges, particularly in literacy and numeracy. Participants analyzed classroom performance indicators, assessment results, and program implementation gaps to determine the root causes of learning difficulties among learners.

 

SDS Evardome emphasized that strategic interventions should not only address isolated indicators but also contribute to broader educational goals such as improved academic achievement, employability, entrepreneurship, and readiness for higher education.

 

Professional development initiatives were likewise highlighted as a strategy to strengthen teacher performance.

 

The discussion also reveals structural and administrative constraints within the education system, including limitations in teacher hiring, delays in scholarship opportunities, centralized decision-making processes, and gaps between policy indicators and operational realities in schools.

 

Student well-being was also identified as a priority area, highlighting the importance of mental health support, child protection measures, anti-bullying initiatives, school safety planning, and disaster preparedness.

 

SDS Evardome further underscored the need to strengthen monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to ensure effective implementation of educational programs.

 

Meanwhile, focal persons assigned to each outcome area presented their outputs, including SWOT analyses, identified immediate challenges, and proposed strategic interventions.