DepEd will now pay for the Internet connection - GILAS Project

Lapus said that while DepEd is grateful for the support of Ayala Foundation through its GILAS Program, more needs to be done. "After the foundation provided internet access for our public school students, the challenge for us at DepEd is to sustain the program by working with other private sector groups to make internet access affordable," he explained.

"I was informed that in spite of earnest efforts, some of our connected schools have been unable to maintain the internet access that GILAS has provided. Thus, I would like to take this opportunity to announce that DepEd will take on the challenge of sustainability," added Lapus.

Normally, the source of public school fund to pay internet connection will come from Local government. Another source could be the PTCA or PTA through voluntary donation. Some resourceful school principal could get fund from private companies. That if the school is located in town or cities. For barangay high school, the resources are limited.

Fortunately, the DepED Central Office now realize that they have to help those less fortunate high school who has internet connection but lost it due to unpaid bill from Globe and PLDT.

At present, there are 2020 public high schools that have benefited from free internet connection under GILAS. Free Internet connection is good only for 1 year. In the succeeding, the school need to pay the monthly fee amounting between P2000 to P3000.

Inquire in your division or regional office about the requirements.

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The Supreme Court already declared that public schools supervisors do not have administrative supervision over school heads

The Supreme Court recently declared that public schools supervisors do not have administrative supervision over school heads.

In a 32-page decision penned by Justice Romeo J. Callejo, Sr., the Court upheld the validity of Section 4.3 of Rule IV and Sections 5.1 and 5.2 of Rule V of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of RA 9155 or the “Governance of Basic Education Act 2001” providing for the powers of schools division superintendents and public schools supervisors and the establishment of new school districts, respectively. It held that the assailed provisions were a mere reiteration and implementation of RA 9155.

“We have reviewed the IRR and find that Section 4.3 of Rule IV, and Sections 5.1 and 5.2 of Rule V are valid. The provisions merely reiterate and implement the related provisions of R.A. No. 9155. x x x Thus, under R.A. No. 9155, administrative supervision over school heads is not one of those responsibilities conferred on district supervisors,” the Court said. It added that while the district supervisor is given a support staff for program promotion, it cannot be implied that the district supervisor likewise has administrative supervision over elementary school principals and secondary school principals.

See full article
http://www.supremecourt.gov.ph/news/courtnews%20flash/2006/06/06230601.php

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Why we should add more grade level in our elementary and high school?

Why we should add more level in elementary and high school? It is simply because teachers do not have enough time to delivery the whole program in one school year. What the DepEd curriculum writers solution is integrating each topics which leads to the present situation of our public school system.

let us present the content of article written by Q. Chua of Ateneo University about International Math Olympiad.

"In the past, the Philippines did not do very well in the IMO. But after
the experience this year, Garces says many of his own beliefs were
proven wrong. “Many of the students from other countries are two
years older than ours,” he says, “because their
pre-university education requires this. I used to believe that their
students were equipped with more math. But the three perfect scorers
this year (two from China and one from the United States) were younger
than our students! This means that age may not be a gauge of good
performance in the IMO.”

Yes, winning students are older. Lucky for the bright but for the average, they will take time to master lessons and skills.

Dear teachers, voice out. give your opinion. There are many reasons why we should add more level in our school system. Let the parents and government know the situation.

Featured - Principal's Point of View

A CHALLENGE FOR CONTINUING EXCELLENCE

Experience has taught me that doing something for the school does not always hinge on the inducement of a pecuniary pay; rather, we are driven with a passion for excellence. This I pointed out to the editorial board and staff of the previous issue of The Passage and to the students of Amparo High School as a whole in line with my vision of steering the school toward total competitiveness. It's true indeed, that in the race toward excellence, there is no finish line.

I want to personally thank The Passage staffers, together with their adviser, for having tried their best to make their publication competitive as evidenced by all-section sweep in the group contest during last school year's search for outstanding student publications, at least in the regional level . The same appreciation goes to the teachers of this school, whose combined efforts and service commitment made a big difference for Amparo High School in terms of academic performance. Easily, we clinched the top rank in the division in the National Achievement Test (NAT) given to the fourth year students last March 2006, the second straight year of such a splendid performance.

I believe that our future is in our hands, but it will depend on our passion for excellence in everything we do. We must cooperate and maintain what we have achieved; otherwise, our efforts at getting far ahead will be futile, and we may end up at the bottom instead.

Remember that the whole is always greater than the sum of its parts. We can accomplish more if we join hands as one strong team. True enough, there is nothing more fulfilling than having contributed to affording the future of our students, enabling them to see the brighter horizon.

Let us put in concrete terms our much-vaunted national virtue of malasakit (concern). Let us love our work enough to show our students the transformation effect of that collective malasakit for their common interest. Let us not be satisfied with simply having topped the NAT; instead, let us aim to increase our school's average rating in the said test. Let us make a firm decision or commitment to be one of the few who make things happen according to their dream.

Excellence, if I may put it, is not a thought, it is a habit. As such, it should not be a choice but an important obligatory path designed by a desire to surmount challenges and achieve great things. It is a fountain of life for some but a painful reminders to others. Some might disparage you or tempt you to give up on your commitments to follow the principles of excellence, but be strong to resist that temptation.

Once again, our firm decision to pursue EXCELLENCE unrelentingly is the starting point for genuine change.

Article from Amparo National High School
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DepEd ICT Curriculum and Blogging Trends

Juned Sunido posted in his blog about the growth of blogs within two years.He is basically amazed on blog’s trends. He is definitely correct in his observation about the dramatic growth of blogs in the Philippines and in the world in general. Yes it is now global trends.

I myself being teacher, ICT trainor, web and some graphics designer and online marketer noticed this important change on blogging trends. The competition is now up and even my former student is now my competitor online. As a designer, I am against blogs because the template are the same. For me, the problem with blog was the feeling of originality on design, layout, colors and structures. That is the my reason why I did not start blogging and sharing to my students earlier. Instead I continue with my static sites and i required my high school graduate to produce group web sites. That is 4 years ago. When I got busy with my regular work plus the personal sites that I maintain, I started to use blogs for me to keep my love information posted online. I regrets for not blogging right away. I should have higher or better popularity and higher web traffics now. I should be able to teach my students and teachers as well on this technology so that the mentors are now member of blogosphere.

Since blogs speed up my internet needs which is putting my work online, coupled with online marketing and Adsense encouragement, my blog increase from 2 to 10 now. I became blog addicted and started to write something even I am not a professional writer (hope you accept my grammar and the way I present ideas).

Having a chance working in online advertising company, i have learned that English and Americans occupy big percent of blog in the market. They also have the traffics and the advertisement as well. Luckily, Filipino bloggers (see Manila Bloggers Society, Cebu Bloggers Society and Davao Bloggers Society) started to unite, share links, promote blogs by team and helps other community in promotion. The Indians are very good in web development. They have targeted the international market specially US and UK. Did you notice the "Marry me banner ads". The Indians have cornered the market of dating site. They have bitten us in web development’s freelance war or BPO wars if i may call. India also have Online Advertising Companies while in Philippines, we only have auction.ph which is unacceptable for me because it is affiliate program. The ideal for Philippines is also Local PPC and CPM like the Google Adwords.

Back to blogging trends now. The free editable blog templates give the designer and developer the feeling of originality in design. Why? it is because they allowed us to modify designs and layouts. Moreover, the wordpress and blogger can be hosted in private server. You can change the URL and the taggings or codes of your comment and posting. You can even do business and receive money like regular dynamic sites. The blog's plug in are also nice. Many site analytics, SEO widgets, social communities, bookmarking, etc. are now complementing the blog trends.

So blogging invited not only the writers, web designer and developer but also professionals like teachers, nurses, doctors, lawyers and even farmers. In 2002, I ask my students about the application of internet and then of course the answer is everyone. So therefore, I presumed that blog will become human's way of life. In the future, once blogging become part of school curriculum, every graduates has blog as high school requirements. In TLE we call this as portfolio evaluation. In education, we may call this "online human portfolio" which could run from elementary to college and perhaps until his career retirement. So people even already dead will be remember through his blog.

Yes dear reader of any profession, I have two mission now. First is to unite teachers in one organization know as Teachers Bloggers Society. Secondly and hoping that the blogging will become part of both public and private curriculum as part of ICT Integration. Language subjects have their portfolios, TLE and sciences required students portfolio. Araling Panlipunan, one of the subject with less ICT integration has their own portfolio as well. So one way to publish these students portfolio ONLINE is using blogs. It is easy, understandable and dynamic. Students can carry their blogs URL’s (since most are free) even they finished studies.

I do not know how to bring this to officials, but I just hope they read and think about it.

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The Philippines call center company is providing us with maintenance help in this blog site.

School Principal shoot dead by his student

A 17 years old high school student from Suralla National Agricultural School. (South Cotabato) principal shot and killed his school principal Ricardo Dela Cruz in front of the school gate just after the flag ceremony last October 2008.

The school principal hit on his chest but able to run inside the school compound. However the student shooter followed and finished him with more shots.

The student expulsion from the school due to many cases of violence is the main reason of the shooting. He was also linked to another shooting in their locality. The student planted well the attack as he is seen roaming the school vicinity prior to the shooting.

Before the incident, the student warned the School principal that he will not be able to reach his birthday anymore. As soon as the student see the teacher outside the school, he approach and shot him to death.

Police form a team to chase the student but no in formation of his arrest until this report is published.

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School Principal Competencies

Those teachers who wanted to become school administrator/principal must recognize the following competencies to become successful in his/her career. This school teachers should demonstrate a basic grasp on the following Administrator's Competencies.

1. Interpersonal Skill: Is warm and easy to approach; builds constructive and effective relationships; uses diplomacy and tact to diffuse tense situations; has a style and charm that immediately puts others at ease and disarms hostility

2. Managing Vision and Purpose: Communicates a compelling and inspired vision or sense of core purpose; makes the vision sharable by everyone; can inspire and motivate entire units or organizations

3. Valuing Diversity: Manages all kinds and classes of people equitably; supports equal and fair treatment and opportunity for all; fosters a climate of inclusion, where diverse thoughts are freely shared and integrated

4. Integrity and Trust: Is widely trusted; is seen as a direct, truthful individual; presents truthful information in an appropriate and helpful manner; keeps confidences; admits mistakes; doesn’t misrepresent himself or herself for personal gain

5. Drive for Results: Pursues everything with energy, drive, and a need to finish; does not give up before finishing, even in the face of resistance or setbacks; steadfastly pushes self and others for results.

6. Priority Setting: Spends his or her time and the time of others on what’s important; focuses on the critical few, and puts the trivial many aside; can quickly sense what will help or hinder the accomplishment of a goal

7. Functional/Technical Skills: Possesses required functional and technical knowledge and skills to do his or her job at a high level of accomplishment; demonstrates active interest and ability to enhance and apply new functional skills.

8. Motivating Others: Creates a climate in which people want to do their best; can assess each person’s strengths and use them to get the best out of him or her; promotes confidence and optimistic attitudes; is someone people like working for and with

9. Managing and Measuring Work: Clearly assigns responsibility for tasks and decisions; sets clear objectives and measures; monitors process, progress, and results; designs feedback loops into work

10. Decision Quality and Problem Solving: Uses analysis, wisdom, experience, and logical methods to make good decisions and to solve difficult problems with effective solutions; appropriately incorporates multiple inputs to establish shared ownership and effective action




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