Ensuring efforts are aligned with DepEd’s MATATAG Agenda, SDO officials and school leaders convened for the Second Management Committee Meeting at Bulwagang Rizal, 4th floor of the DepEd main building on February 21, 2024.

 

The meeting aimed to discuss the updates during the Regional ManCom Meeting held at Valentino Resort and Spa, San Jose, Batangas on February 20, 2024, hosted by SDO Batangas Province.

 

In her message, SDS Merthel M. Evardome, CESO V gave information on the Program for International Student Assessment which the Philippines participated in 2022 and ranked third from the bottom in Science and sixth from the bottom both in Mathematics and Reading. She mentioned the top three regions which include CAR, NCR, and CALABARZON that were asked to present their best practices.

 

SDS Evardome explained the next steps of the DepEd Region IV-A CALABARZON aligned with the MATATAG curriculum. These include the conduct of a workshop on the development of a PISA-like assessment tool for MATATAG curriculum key stages and varied phases, improvement of facilities in schools in coordination with stakeholders, ensuring that learners are given a safe learning atmosphere and spaces for maximum exposure to technology, and intensifying support to teachers.

 

The comparative results of the National Achievement Test in Grade 10 from 2020 to 2023 were presented. Based on the results, SDO Calamba City gained an average score of 50.49.

 

Other highlights of the discussion include issues and concerns sent to 8888 Citizen’s Complaint Center, the cut-off age for kindergarten pupils who must be 5 years old on or before September 30, 2024, and the updates from the Policy, Planning, and Research Division, Field Technical Assistance Division, Quality Assurance Division, and Finance.

 

Meanwhile, the provisions of Part V of Enclosure No. 1 of DepEd Order No. 022, s. 2023 entitled Implementing Guidelines on the School Calendar and Activities of School Year 2023-2024, specifically numbers 7, 26, and 28 shall be amended as discussed during the meeting.

 

The immediate reduction of ancillary tasks assigned to teachers was reiterated to maximize their time in rendering actual classroom instruction and performing work incidental to their normal teaching duties.

Issues and concerns on the deployment of financial staff and Administrative Officers II in the different clusters have been addressed.

 

By DIO Rocky A. Dela Cruz