A total of 40 Internal Quality Auditors of the Schools Division Office of Calamba City strengthened their expertise on ISO 9001:2015 standards during intensive training sessions on the implementation of the Quality Management System at Summit Ridge Tagaytay, Tagaytay City, Cavite on February 24-28, 2025.

 

In her message, SDS Merthel M. Evardome, CESO V, emphasized the importance of the training in ensuring process alignment within the Division. “Hindi madali pero kailangan,” she said, underscoring the significance of internal audits in upholding quality service in education.

 

She acknowledged the participants who had yet to undergo previous IQA training and highlighted the necessity of equipping personnel with the knowledge and skills to audit their respective offices.

“Maganda ang QMS to align processes,” she stated, stressing that adherence to ISO 9001:2015 standards helps maintain efficiency and consistency in operations.

 

The training covered key areas such as identifying discrepancies, implementing corrections, and formulating recommendations based on audit findings.

 

SDS Evardome also noted that all sections were well-represented, ensuring that elementary and secondary school personnel at the school level are trained on the auditing process.

She encouraged participants to maximize learning opportunities and apply their newfound expertise in their respective offices.

 

National Internal Quality Auditor and Administrative Assistant V of DepEd Region IV-A CALABARZON, Evan Lynn-Dell C. Masing, provided in-depth discussions on ISO 9001:2015 requirements, auditing concepts, and principles within the DepEd context. She outlined the benefits of QMS, its legal foundations, the core principles guiding its implementation, and its process approach (plan, do, check, act).

 

She emphasized the distinction between QMS Standards (ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System Requirements) and Audit Standards (ISO 19011:2018 Guidelines for Auditing Management Systems).

Masing also gave a comprehensive breakdown of the ISO 9001:2015 clauses, focusing on the essential auditable clauses from 4 to 10. She highlighted the Context of the Organization, Leadership, Planning, Support, Operation, Performance Evaluation, and Improvement.

 

These clauses serve as the foundation for ensuring systematic and consistent quality management practices in DepEd offices and schools.

 

Meanwhile, the participants engaged in a workshop focused on ISO 9001:2015, where they were assigned specific clauses of the standard and tasked with formulating relevant audit questions based on the requirements. They also identified the appropriate offices to be audited and outlined the necessary documents, records, or observations required to verify compliance.

 

During the presentation of outputs, representatives from each group shared their work, which was then critiqued. Masing provided valuable inputs and suggestions, guiding participants in refining their audit questions and evidence-gathering approaches to enhance the effectiveness of the auditing process.

The sessions will also include training on the QMS Auditor role, the Procedures and Work Instruction Manual for Internal Quality Audit, and a mock audit until February 28, 2025.