International conference on K to12 program set in Pangasinan
by Venus H. Sarmiento
BAYAMBANG, Pangasinan, Jan. 17 (PIA) — A three-day academic international conference workshop on the K to 12 program of the Department of Education will be held on January 19-21 at the Sison Auditorium in Lingayen town.
Registration fee is P2,500 for students; P3,500 for public school teachers and P5,000 for private school teachers.
The event aims to gather perspectives of Filipino education stakeholders on K to 12 curriculum, and identify working knowledge, standards, content-based instructional materials, approaches, innovative learning assessment and learner-based action research on K to 12 for sustainable development in basic education.
The event will feature international speakers from the United States of America, Japan and Australia who will talk on the global condition of the K to 12 program.
Philippine speakers will include Sen. Antonio Trillanes III, who will speak on the topic ‘Senate and the K to12 Curriculum Reform Legislation.’
Other speakers are DepEd Undersecretary Yolanda Quijano, Congressman Mariano Piamonte, Jr and officials from teacher-education institutions, students’ group and non-government organizations.
The K-12 (Kindergarten to 12th grade), is a DepEd program which seeks to expand the Philippines’ basic education to 12 years from the current 10 years to make Filipino students globally competitive.
Interested participants from other provinces and countries can contact the Pangasinan State University-Baymbang Campus for accommodations at telephone number (075) 592-2704. (ANL/VHS-PIA 1 Pangasinan)
DepEd hires Madrasah teachers
by Oliver T. Baccay and Floyd Hontiveros
TUGUEGARAO CITY, August 4 (PIA) — To respond to the education needs of the Muslim students in the region, the Department of Education (DepEd) region 2 has hired and trained two (2) Madrasah assigned in schools near the Muslim communities in the cities of Tuguegarao and Cauayan.
Romel Costales, education program supervisor, said the hundreds of Muslim students are enrolled in different schools in the region that is why they need to hire teachers who are also Muslim to fit the education needed by the students.
Costales explained that they are supposed to hire a Madrasah (teachers in the Islamic schools) in each school that has Muslim students; however, only 2 have passed the qualifying examination conducted by DepEd as of this moment.
The two have also undergone trainings on language enhancing program and education ethics which is one of the requirements to qualify for the said position.
Costales said the Madrasah are mandated to teach arabic language and values education for Muslim students. Because the education department is now implementing religious and culture sensitive teaching, Muslims can now attend the arabic language and values education subjects taught by the Madrasah instead of English and the Good Moral and Right Conduct (GMRC) subjects.
He also cleared that, though the Madrasah are still supervised by the DepEd, the sources of their compensation are Local Government Unit (LGUs) to where they are assigned and the office of the Muslim Affairs.
As of now, DepEd is encouraging Muslims who are graduates of education courses to take the qualifying examination to be able to be employed as Madrasah teacher in other schools in the region that have hundreds of Muslim pupils. (TCB/OTB/FO/PIA-2)
77 public secondary schools in CL receive computers from DTI
by Carlo Lorenzo J. Datu
ANGELES CITY, Pampanga, July 28 (PIA) — A total of 77 public secondary schools in Central Luzon recently received 11 computers each from the Personal Computers for Public Schools (PCPS) project-Phase 4 of the Department of Trade & Industry (DTI).
Each of the computers given is equipped with printer, software bundles, and internet modem.
Angeles explained that the PCPS project “seeks to maintain the competitive advantage of the Philippines as the second largest producer of computer services in Asia and one of the most preferred destinations of Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) companies through incorporating Information Technology (IT) in the basic levels of education by providing computers to public schools. This will help our young people, particularly high school students, to land high-value jobs in the knowledge economy in the future.”
Angeles likewise said the government of Japan, through its Non-Project Grant Assistance Countervalue Funds, poured in a total of P1.8 billion for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd phases of the project and an additional P320 million with the approval of the 4th phase for the provision of computer packages to 775 public high schools in Luzon and Visayas.
The PCPS successfully reduced computer backlog in public secondary educational institutions from 75 percent during the start of Phase 1 in 2001 to 37 percent at the end of Phase 3 in 2007. (WLB/CLJD-PIA 3)
PMA announces entrance exam
by Joseph B Zambrano
BAGUIO CITY, July 18 (PIA) – - The Philippine Military Academy (PMA) will hold its nationwide annual entrance examination on August 28, 2011 a Sunday.
“Interested applicant must be a natural-born Filipino citizen with good moral character, physically fit, single and has never been married, with height of 5’4” (for male) and 5’2” for female, at least 17 years old but not a day older than 22 years old on April 1 of the year following the examination taken, at least high school graduate with a general average of 85 percent or higher and must not have any administrative or criminal case.
A 16-year-old applicant may be allowed to take the exam provided he or she has all the rest of the qualifications. Should the applicant pass the qualifying exam, the validity of the result of the exam would be for two years within which, the applicant must proceed with the next step in the recruitment process for admission to PMA.
Those who will pass the entrance examination will undergo the Complete Physical Examination (CPE) at the Armed Forces of the Philippines Medical Center (AFPMC) to determine the medical conditions of the applicants and their psychological and physical readiness to undergo a military training in the Academy.
All cadets at PMA are granted full scholarship and they receive salary and allowances while studying for four years to earn a degree of Bachelor of Science.
After graduating from the Academy, cadets are directly commissioned as regular officers in the Armed Forces of the Philippines, joining any of the three major branches of service – the Army, the Navy, or the Air Force.
This is yet another chance for patriotic youth the PMA is offering for a free college education while receiving stipend while studying in the academy,” Captain Lynette Flores, PMA’s public information officer, said.* (JDP/JBZ-PIA CAR)
Benguet State U obtains highest level performance by CHED
by Susan Aro
LA TRINIDAD, Benguet, June 24 (PIA) – - The Benguet State University was accorded the highest category in the classification of state universities and colleges (SUCs) throughout the country in terms of its institutional performance.
BSU president Rogelio Colting said the institution was recognized by the Commission on Higher Education as Level IV, which is the highest level, based on its performance in providing quality education and in compliance with the criteria set on the various aspects of tertiary education.
Level IV SUCs enjoy corresponding benefits and awards of grants and subsidies form CHED’s Higher Education Development Fund.
Such recognition gives inspiration to the people behind such as the faculty and staff and the university officials as well, said Colting.
Looking back from its humble beginnings, the institution was established by the Americans as the La Trinidad Agricultural School in 1916 . Through the years, the academic institution which has become a state university has been reaching the heights, so to speak, in terms of performance.
BSU is now at par with the other universities and colleges across regions. It is likewise recognized at the international level and is envisioned to become a key player institution in South East Asia, Colting said
BSU is celebrating its 95th Founding Anniversary as an institution from June 27 – July 2, 2011. * (JDP/SCA- PIA CAR,Benguet)
Makati assures enough school facilities despite ballooning enrollment
by Jerome Carlo R. Paunan
MAKATI CITY, June 5 (PIA) — The local government has assured its residents over the weekend that the city has provided more than enough public school facilities with the anticipated increase in the number of enrollees in their public schools this year.
In a statement, it said residents can expect the opening of classes to go without a hitch and that all public schools in the elementary and high school levels are “ready for the influx of students starting June 6.”
Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin S. Binay said the combined efforts of school officials, teachers, district engineers, barangay officials, volunteers, and parents have ensured the city’s readiness.
“Besides making sure that school buildings and facilities are safe and clean, we have also seen to it that we have enough classrooms and chairs, teachers, textbooks, and other school supplies to meet the needs of schoolchildren in the city,” Binay said.
Meanwhile, DepEd Makati Supt Elena Ruiz said the final number of enrollees will only be determined by the first week of classes, as there may still be late enrollees. She also said enrolment figures may further increase this school year in light of the Department of Education’s policy of non-discrimination in accepting students, including non-residents and transferees from private schools, being observed by the division.
Ruiz said as in the past years, the city government has ensured that Makati public schools have adequate school facilities with the construction of new school buildings each year. It has also hired contractual teachers to cover the expected increase in the number of students. (RJB/JCP-PIA NCR)
28 out of 91 OWWA scholars graduate with honors
MANILA, June 6 (PIA) — The Overseas Workers’ Welfare Administration produced 28 graduates with honors last April out of the 91 scholars selected from overseas Filipino workers’ families coming from various regions for school year 2010-2011.
Department of Labor and Employment Director Nicon Fameronag released the list of OWWA scholar graduates in a recent report to Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma.
He said that of those who graduated magna cum laude and cum laude, 12 came from the National Capital Region, five were from Region 7, two each came from Regions 1, 6 and 9, while Regions 8, 10 and CARAGA had one each.
Of the 28, five graduated as magna cum laude, namely; Alexis M. Martinez, BS Biology at the University of the Philippines Diliman; Zyreen Adrianne M. Maranan, BS Information Technology at Adamson University; Ahmed Abdullah Khayeff, BS Information Technology at Saint Louis University; Maria Kristine Rothessa M. Reyes, BS Nursing at Ateneo de Zamboanga; and Ian O. Palermo, BS Electrical Engineering at Iligan Institute of Technology-Mindanao State University, Fameronag said.
Among those who graduated cum laude were Eudelpha Marie B. Matuguinas, BS Accountancy at the Far Eastern University; Romnick B. Medina, BS Aeronautical Engineering at the Philippine State College of Aeronautics; Raymond P. Burgess Jr., BS Information Technology at the University of Santo Tomas; Carlino Phelias A. Limbaga, BS Chemistry at the Cebu Normal University; Jake N. Delima, BS Marine Transportation at the Naval State University in Biliran; and Mark Jason O. Mortel, BS Electronic and Communications Engineering at the Iligan Institute of Technology – Mindanao State University.
The top 100 passers of the OWWA scholarship grant were given scholarships through OWWA’s Congressional Migrant Workers Scholarship Program and the Education for Development Scholarship Program.
In order to qualify for an OWWA scholarship, dependents of overseas Filipino workers must pass the national qualifying exam held from November to December through the Department of Science and Technology. Graduating high school students can pass their applications from July to September. The EDSP application form can be downloaded from the OWWA’s website – www.owwa.gov.ph – but walk-in applicants are welcome. Once they pass the exam, they will receive Php 60,000 a year to pursue their chosen course in any CHED-accredited college or university, Fameronag said.
The OWWA scholars who graduated expressed their gratitude to OWWA for the financial assistance that was given to them through the scholarships.
(Jomie Apostol)
CSC 3 now open for the 2nd paper and pencil tests of 2011
by Carlo Lorenzo J. Datu
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, May 24 (PIA) — Civil Service Commission 3 is now accepting applications for the second and last Career Service Professional and Subprofessional Paper and Pencil Tests of 2011 that is scheduled on October 16.
It is open to all Filipino citizens aged 18 years old and above who are of good moral character, have neither been found guilty of an offense involving moral turpitude nor have been dishonorably dismissed from any civilian position in the government and have not taken the same level of CSC examination in less than three months.
Passers of the bar exams and Professional Regulation Commission-administered tests as well as those who graduated with honors need not apply since they are granted automatic eligibility.
The examinations shall consist of the following subject areas: A) For Professional- Verbal (40 items), Analytical (50 items), Numerical (40 items) and General Information (20 items) B) For Subprofessional- Verbal (45 items), Clerical (40 items), Numerical (40 items,) and General Information (20 items).
The General Information test covers: a) Philippine Constitution, b) The Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees (R.A.6713), c) Peace and Human Rights Issues and Concepts, and d) Environment Management and Protection.
Exams will simultaneously be conducted in over 36 venues nationwide including the cities of San Fernando in Pampanga and Cabanatuan in Nueva Ecija.
An applicant must obtain a passing grade of at least 80 percent in order to earn eligibility which is the key for a stable job in government.
The requirements, as well as the application form, may be downloaded in the commission’s official website- www.csc.gov.ph .
For more inquiries, please call the CSC regional office in Pampanga in the following numbers: (045) 455-3241, 455-3242, 455-3243 and 455-3244 or visit their provincial offices.
Deadline for the submission of application is on September 1. (WLB/CLJD PIA 3)
TESDA women scholars top this year’s graduation rites
by Jell E. Guzman
QUEZON CITY, May 4 (PIA) – Talk about women power! This year’s batch of graduates at the Technical Education and Skills Development (TESDA) was dominated by women scholars.
The graduation ceremony with the theme “Kaagapay ng pamilya at sambayanan tungo sa maunlad at pinagpalang kinabukasan,” was recently held at the TESDA Women’s Center in Taguig City.
Ninety percent of the 322 scholars who were mostly women have underwent a rigorous six-month skills training and specialization in various fields like housekeeping, food and beverages, welding, dressmaking, pharmacy, automotive, commercial cooking, food processing, household services, electronics, and cellphone repair.
According to TESDA director general Joel Villanueva women scholars have treaded fields never before imagined to be women’s world. “Now we have female welders, automotive specialists, and skilled electronic workers. They have taken the challenge offered by TESDA and hurdled it successfully,” added Villanueva.
Villanueva also cited that every graduation ceremony of TESDA scholars brings pride as it serves as testament of the institution’s best investment – education and new opportunities for workers, especially women workers.
Since 1998, the TESDA Women’s Center has produced more than 4,000 graduates in various trade areas with a 57 percent average employment rate. Most of them were certified in their respective fields.
The trainings do not only empower women to be self-reliant, but also make them advocates of gender and development issues.
The TESDA chief also expressed hopes that the graduates will soon join the labor force when they land in jobs in the country or abroad. Graduates were given diploma on Competency-Based Training Program.
Meanwhile, TESDA is also implementing training cum production strategy wherein students are required to test their skills after through an output – a material, wall or a building. One of the outputs finished by TESDA scholars is a multi-purpose gym inside the complex which was recently inaugurated.
These successful scholars received their certificates of training for being TESDA specialists in masonry, carpentry, welding and construction painting. (TESDA/RJB/JEG-PIA NCR)
‘No permit, no exam’ illegal says CHED
by Jerome Carlo R. Paunan
MANILA, March 22 (PIA) — The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) said that it is illegal for colleges and universities to implement a “no permit, no exam” policy based on a rule adopted by all private schools nationwide.
According to CHED executive director Atty. Julito D. Vitriolo, Section 99, Article 20 of the Manual of Regulation for Private Higher Education states, “No high education institutions (HEI) shall deny final examination for students who has outstanding financial or property obligation including unpaid tuition and other school fees corresponding to the school term.”
This, after the agency received increasing complaints that some schools are denying students the right to take final exams due to failure to pay their tuition.
As he warned them that refusal of a college to allow a student to get a final examination would constitute a violation, he said sanctions await school administrations.
The range of penalties also depends on the weight of the violations committed, he said.
“Just because the student failed to pay his financial obligation doesn’t mean that he should be denied to take the final exam,” he said.
Sometimes the refusal of the school to allow those who failed to pay their financial dues present disadvantage, especially to students who are running for honors, he added. (PIA-NCR/jcp/rjb)
