Research management

Roniel Paller Garcia

IN support of the Department’s policy development process, research agenda, and policy and program development and implementation, the Department of Education (DepEd) continues to promote and strengthen the culture of research in basic education.

The DepEd hereby established the Research Management Guidelines (RMG) to provide guidance in managing research initiatives in the national, regional, schools division, and school levels. It also improves support mechanisms for research such as funding, partnerships, and capacity building.

This policy also covers instructions for eligible DepEd employees in availing of research funds.

This policy, which is built on the gains in evidence-based decision-making from various education reforms or initiatives, shall strengthen the culture of research in the Department. In addition, it improves the fund-sourcing mechanisms, and reinforces the link of research to education processes through research dissemination, utilization, and advocacy.

The Governance of Basic Education Act of 2001 (RA 9155) mandates that the Department of Education enact policies and mechanisms through which the delivery of quality basic education may be continuously improved. Chapter 1, Section 7 (5) includes among the responsibilities of DepEd across all governance levels the undertaking of “educational research and studies” that will serve as one of the bases for necessary reforms and policy development.

To promote an environment of evidence-based decision-making, DepEd has made strides in instituting research and its utilization in policy and program development. DO No. 13, s. 2015 established a systematic policy development process in the Department, promoting evidence-based policy formulation supported by research studies.

To provide financial support to the conduct of research in the field, DO No. 43, s. 2015 and DO No. 4, s. 2016 set guidelines on the use of the Basic Education Research Fund (BERF). This policy outlined a clear framework for the implementation of a grant-awarding facility that had been underutilized since the issuance of DO No. 24, s. 2010 which originally made such grants available. To put focus on these research initiatives, DO No. 39, s. 2016 promulgated the Basic Education Research Agenda, which makes known the research priorities of the Department across four themes (Teaching and Learning, Child Protection, Human Resource Development, and Governance) and three cross-cutting themes (Gender and Development, Disaster Risk Reduction and Management, and Inclusive Education).

Implementation of the said policies brought about a renewed vigor in the conduct of research, solidifying the Department’s thrust towards evidence-informed policies and programs. While there are marked changes in the perception of research, implementation challenges also surfaced from regular feedback and the conduct of policy review of the BERF Guidelines. Apart from issues arising from availing of and implementing the BERF, concerns primarily centered on improving research management at every governance level.

As we strengthen the culture of research in the Department, this policy seeks to build on the gains from the abovementioned reforms by establishing a framework for the management of research initiatives at all levels of governance. The said framework intends to improve the grants management process for BERF and other possible fund sources, and reinforces the link of research to education processes through research dissemination, utilization, and advocacy.