The Philippine information Agency-CALABARZON holds a weekly radio  program entitled ”Usapang PIA” which airs Fridays from 11:00 to 11: 30 a.m. over Radyo Natin Laguna 106.3 FM

This program enables government, private and non-government sector partners to ventilate and promote their programs for the public’s benefit.

Calamba City SDS Susan DL Oribiana represented DepEd to talk about Sulong Edukalidad last February 21, 2020 together with SGOD Chief Marisa A. Dedumo.

Ms. Rachel Joy Gabrido , PIA-CALABARZON  Information Officer 1,  the program  hosts, inquired on Sulong Edukalidad . SDS Oribiana explained the program by introducing its four pillars represented by the acronym KITE which is short for:

1.     K to 12  curriculum review and update

2.     Improving the Learning Environment

3.     Teachers’ Upskilling and reskilling

4.     Engagement of Stakeholders for support and collaboration

Regarding the first pillar, K-12 curriculum review and update, SDS Oribiana mentioned that there should be balanced curriculum and humanity to produce a new breed of learners who think critically; who knows how to solve problems, issues or challenges based on their “foundational and specialized skills and knowledge”.

The second pillar, which is Improving the Learning Environment, SGOD Marisa Dedumo together with SDS Oribiana mentioned that there should be focus on learning environment through improvement of its physical facilities, provision of learning resources and sustained safe and nurturing schools to learners.

The third pillar, Teachers’ Upskilling and reskilling, perfectly describes the statement of DepEd Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones in her speech at the launch of Sulong Edukalidad last December 3,2019 that, “The battle for quality basic education will be fought and won inside the classroom, by our teachers”. This is possible by giving support and investing to teachers’ in service “professional development and providing incentives through career progression and promotion opportunities as they develop their teaching proficiency.”

Relatively, motivating teachers to update and advance their profession would reflect on how they use curriculum and instruction in order to improve learners’ performance.

Finally, the fourth pillar which is Engagement of stakeholders for support and collaboration, is the involvement of everyone in the community i.e., Local Government Units, National Government Agencies, Non-Government Organizations, private sectors, alumni associations, parents and other school partners to provide the needs of the school, teachers, and learners.

Though DepEd has successfully addressed the concern on ACCESS to education by Filipino learners, with these four pillars, Sulong Edukalidad  Program, the Department’s paradigm will shift to QUALITY ,specifically, on the learning outcomes of students.

The second part of the talk on USAPANG PIA dealt with the DepEd CALABARZON  Pivot 4A QuBE program which is the top program of DepEd Region IV-A in support to Sulong Edukalidad. This was officially launched on January 21,2020.

It is expected that through this program, quality basic education will be achieved together with the enhanced teacher performance and learners’ mastery with the skills and competencies.

As posted in depedcalabarzon.ph (February 6,2020), the counterpart of   Sulong Edukalidad in Region IV-A is   CALABARZON Pivot 4A QuBE which has four strategic thrust:

       4 A  stands for :  Aligning, Advancing, Amplifying, and Appraising

          Aligning is focused on the teaching and learning process  through adjustment, curriculum mapping, and competency analysis in order to improve learning outcomes.

          Advancing focused on Quality Assurance, Management and Professional Learning and Development Initiatives through open communication, collaboration, and vibrant leadership of authorities.

          Amplifying is strengthening the technical and assistance mechanisms in support to achieving short and long term goals.

          Appraising is recognizing stakeholders on the progress of interventions of the quality and extent of achievement they provide.

QuBE means  Quality Basic Education  which is geared towards three goals : Excellence, Empowerment, and Efficiency collectively known as “the Power of E”

The last Part of the interview was on other related issues and concerns on the quality service of DepEd like about the contact time of teachers , teachers attending seminars and on the conduct of make-up classes.

On contact time of teachers, in order for teachers to focus on teaching , SDS mentioned that in SDO Calamba City there is additional hiring of non-teaching staff to schools to lessen the extra tasks entrusted to some teachers  and to only implement quality and necessary programs and projects in schools.   

On teachers attending seminars, SDS mentioned that semestral and summer break serves as training break for teachers which is scheduled from April to May . “No seminars for teachers are conducted during school days”.

Since there were several cancellations of classes , due to calamities like Storm “Tisoy”and the eruption of Taal Volcano, make-up classes are conducted. She explained that make-up classes can be conducted by (1) extending the number of hours during weekdays or (2) during Saturdays or (3) both which started February , 2020 and will end March 6 or 7,2020.(Div Memo 15,s. 2020)

The radio interview was successfully done though it consumed more than the air time for Usapang PIA due to the interesting discussion on DepEd timely issues and updates. 

It ended by the parting words of  Calamba SDS Oribiana to continuously support the programs of DepEd in order to achieve quality education among Filipino learners.

Minariza M. Gillaco, EPS –II and DIAO , SDO Calamba City