In a world where knowledge is the cure, the Philippines faces a challenge in ensuring its students have access to the most effective learning tools.  While traditional methods may not be fully optimized, the Department of Education's (DepEd) recent initiative, "Catch-Up Fridays," as stated in DepEd Memorandum No. 1, s. 2024, offers a promising approach. Catch-Up Fridays aims to bolster reading proficiency among Filipino students. This focus on a foundational skill is a positive step in the right direction. By dedicating time to reading, the program has the potential to significantly improve literacy rates. However, the program's execution can be improved. The initial rollout faced hurdles due to a lack of preparation time.  Moving forward, ensuring clear communication and providing teachers with adequate training will be crucial. Additionally, addressing concerns about resource allocation and differentiated instruction will enhance the program's effectiveness. The

In a move to improve learning delivery in schools in the Philippines, Vice President and Secretary of the Department of Education, Sara Duterte, has emphasized the importance of integrating ICT into the education system in her Basic Education Report on January 30, 2023. Following this call to action, the Sarangani Division has stepped up the implementation of its innovation, LRonWHEeLS, which stands for Learning Resources on WiFi Hub for expanded e-Learning in Sarangani. In a recent consultative meeting and instructional supervision, the Curriculum Implementation Division identified that further strengthening of the ICT infrastructure and development of digital learning materials is necessary to enhance the program's implementation. As a response, the Sarangani Division has launched the SMART-ED Initiative, which aims to improve the quality of education in the region.   “There are many teachers in Sarangani who are employing 21st Century teaching methods. To complement that, we wil

Leaders of the different Indigenous Cultural Communities in Sarangani, led by Indigenous People Mandatory Representative Fred Basino and Provincial Tribal Chieftain Datu Edmund Pangilan, gathered in Upo, Maitum, Sarangani Province to renew their support for the implementation of IP education during the culmination program of IP Month celebration dubbed as Kasbakas, October 20. Kasbakas is a Blaan word that is used to mean working together or unity. The theme of the celebration, "Kasaysayan, Karunungan, at Wika ng mga Katutubong Pamayanan: Mga Saligan ng Katutubong Pagkakakilanlan at Tulay Tungo sa Inklusibong Kaunlaran," recognizes the wealth of the Indigenous Cultural Communities' history, knowledge, and language and their role as foundations of cultural identity and as a means for achieving inclusive growth. According to the Division IPEd Coordinator Melchor Maguan that the Schools Division of Sarangani is aiming to build Cultural Heritage Learning Centers (CHLCs).  The

The provincial local government unit of Sarangani turned over 100 antennas to DepEd Sarangani in support of the implementation of LRonWHEeLS. Photo by Joel Andres Provincial Administrator Atty. Ryan Jay Ramos led the turnover of the antennas amounting to Php 150,000.00 during the flag-raising ceremony at the provincial capitol, Alabel, Sarangani Province. DepEd Sarangani was represented by Education Program Supervisor Judith B. Alba and Information Technology Officer Roy J. Detoyato, lead implementers of the project. LRonWHEeLS stands for Learning Resources on WiFi Hub for Expanded e-Learning in Sarangani, an innovation of the Division of Sarangani during the pandemic when learners could not attend classes in school. It uses a local wireless network to connect learners’ gadgets to a learning management system. LRonWHEeLS is being implemented in over 50 schools in the Division of Sarangani and has been replicated in other provinces and cities in the country like Batangas, Baguio City, Z

Elementary Schools in Alabel 3 District are collaborating with 88.5 iCare FM Radio that is based at Alegria National High School for the broadcasting of their RBI lessons. Teachers like Rowena Biene of Upper Alabel Elementary School record their radio-based instruction lessons and upload the audio files to a shared Google Drive for iCare FM to air during their designated time slots. "Each school is assigned a subject area. Our school is assigned to develop RBI lessons in Science," Biene said. The partnership was initiated by District Supervisor Fredgie Pasco upon learning that the radio broadcast of iCare FM reaches most of the areas in Alabel 3 district. Andres Mataganas, school head of Alegria NHS, explained that the schools whose lessons are aired via iCare FM have committed to augment expenses on electricity in return. Mataganas also added that plans to increase the range of the broadcast coverage as well as the introduction of live streaming via Facebook are underway in

“No Internet, No Problem.” DepEd Sarangani’s innovation LR on WHEeLS fascinated Mark Anthony Sy, Head of Educational Technology Unit of DepEd Central Office when he visited two implementing schools in Glan, Sarangani Province. LR on WHEeLS or Learning Resources on WiFi Hub for Expanded e-Learning in Sarangani is an innovation developed by DepEd Sarangani as an alternative to online learning delivery modality designed for areas where internet connectivity is a problem. Together with the DepEd TV team, the EdTech Unit head visited Prudencio Mariano Integrated School in Barangay Laguimit and Nicomedes Tolentino Elementary School in Barangay Small Margus on December 18, 2021. Sy is especially excited by LR on WHEeLS’s utilization of Open Education Resources and DepEd TV videos, which benefits learners even in remote locations. “Makikita po ninyo na kahit wala pong internet access ang lugar na ito ay nagagamit po ng maayos ang ating mga online tools pero in an offline environment; kaya napa

As the year 2022 begins, DepEd Sarangani recognizes its achievements in the past year and eyes hitting new targets. During the first flag-raising ceremony of the year, Schools Division Superintendent Gildo G. Mosqueda, CEO VI encouraged the personnel to work harder this year as we expect to face more challenges. "We have achieved a lot in 2021. We would like to continue the trend in 2022, let us work harder. Let us be prepared for the challenges that will arrive. Let us believe that we can do it. By merely believing that we can make it, we have already completed half the journey," Mosqueda said. Most learning focused schools Among the achievements highlighted is the inclusion of Maasim Central Elementary School in the Top 5 National Finals in the Secretary's Awards for Excellence in Curriculum and Instruction. The Curriculum Implementation Division Chief Donna S. Panes announced this, with emphasis on the fact that only three schools from Region XII qualified and MCES is

DepEd Sarangani bagged six out of 15 categories in the regional evaluation for the Secretary's Award for Excellence in Curriculum and Instruction. These schools are: Malungon Central Elementary School at Malapatan Central Elementary School for large and very large schools categories, respectively, in K-3 level; Maasim Central Elementary School for large category in Grades 4-6 level; Leopoldo Dacera Sr. Integrated School for small schools category in Junior High School; and Alabel National High School and James L. Chiongbian National Trade School for large and very large categories, respectively, in the Senior High School level.  Curriculum Implementation Division Chief Donna S. Panes said that schools sent by the Schools Division of Sarangani to the said awards are "implementers of Read at Home Program, contextualization of learning resources for distance learning and innovators of learning modalities." The SAFE-CI seeks to recognize schools and schools divisions that exh

The Alternative Learning System Senior High School (ALS-SHS) was launched virtually yesterday via DepEd Tayo Facebook pages. Asst. Regional Director Atty. Fiel Y. Almendra hands the Certificate of Appreciation to Melinda A. Rivera in behalf of Asst. Sec. G.H. Ambat. ALS-SHS is being piloted in SOCCSKSARGEN involving several schools in four school divisions in the region, namely Cotabato Province, General Santos City, Sultan Kudarat, and Sarangani. In Sarangani, James L. Chiongbian National Trade School, Glan School of Arts and Trades, and Malandag National High School were among the few schools which offered ALS to Senior High School learners for the first time. Assitant Secretary in ALS G.H. Ambat congratulated SOCCSKSARGEN for the successful pilot implementation and said that DepED is hopeful to scale it up to national level so that ALS Senior High School may also be offered in all regions of the country. To highlight how the ALS program helps many of our young people who cannot

DepEd Sarangani continues to recognize the outstanding implementation of the kindergarten program in all schools in the Division as it announces the winners of the Model Kindergarten Program Implementation Malungon Central Elementary School SPED Center receives a smart TV set courtesy of the Provincial Governor's Office. Photo from the Facebook Profile of   Des LourkcaDe Malungon Central Elementary School SPED Center bagged this year's top prize among Central schools, while Rudes Elementary School in Maitum took the first spot among non-Central schools. In order to be considered a model implementer, the school has to showcase excellence in the following areas: curriculum, learning resources and instructional materials, learning space and environment, and assessment result recording.  The complete list of Model Kindergarten Program Implementation are as follows: Central Schools Malungon Central Elementary School SPED Center Glan Padidu Central Elementary School Pangyan Central E

Nagsimula na ngayong linggo ang pagpapatuloy ng edukasyon sa Dibisyon ng Sarangani. Matapos ang maikling bakasyon, balik-serbisyo na naman ang kaguruan sa pagbubukas ng ikalawang kwarter. Si Teacher Annalie Magallanes ng Talus Elementary School sa Malungon, Sarangani Province ay ginamit pati ang ilang araw ng bakasyon upang ihanda ang self-learning modules at learning activity sheets para kanyang mga mag-aaral. Sa Latian ES school, kasabay ng mga modyul, namimigay rin si Teacher Josenia Cambarijan ng mga pakete ng Milo Energy Drink at school supplies. Ang mga guro naman sa Kiahe Integrated School sa bayan Malapatan, sinuong muli ang peligrosong paglalakbay upang maihatid ang mga module sa kanilang mga mag-aaral. Ganuon din ang guro sa Green Valley Integrated School sa bayan Kiamba – balik sa pagtahak sa mapuputik na kalsada upang maipatupad ang school-based feeding program. Batid ng pamunuan ng Dibisyon ng Sarangani ang mga sakripisyong bahagi na pagsisilbi ng mga guro. Upang mat

In order to address the reproduction cost in printing Self-Learning Modules and other learning resources in this Division, the Curriculum Implementation Division of DepEd Sarangani initiated the development of Learning Activity Sheet (LAS) for K-to-12 learners starting Quarter 2 of School Year 2020-2021. The LAS is the main instructional material of the Dynamic Learning Program (DLP) that promotes independent student learning. It is a one-page material that encapsulates specific learning targets in a clear, simple, and concise manner to improve retention and mastery of a topic. The Parts of LAS The LAS has three (3) main parts: a) Basic information; b) The Concept Digest; and c) Activity. How to Use LAS The LAS is a supplementary material to be used with other available learning resources such as electronic copy of the SLM, radio-based instruction, video lesson, or printed copy of the portion of SLM that supports the concept digest. In case that there is no available SLM, RBI, or video

DepEd Sarangani continues to strengthen its reading program despite the pandemic. The Read-at-Home program has encouraged volunteers to help kids in their neighborhood to read. Individuals and organizations heeded the call and they were recognized during the Reading Month culmination.