Monitoring graduation fee, awarding top SPED teachers

THE DEPARTMENT of Education has welcomed the offer of child welfare party-list group Akap Bata to monitor public schools to ensure no graduation fees are collected from students.

Akap Bata has launched Grad Fee Monitor 2012, and parents as well as students with complaints regarding graduation fees may call its hotline 025163206.

Education Secretary Armin Luistro said the Deped was open to working with private watchdogs, nongovernment organizations and other education stakeholders in ensuring the nocollection policy was strictly followed by all public elementary and secondary schools.

At the same time, he reiterated the intent of Deped Order No. 8 series of 2005 that prohibited the collection of any graduation fee or any kind of contribution for graduation rites.

The order also stipulated that no extravagant special graduation attire and extraordinary venue should be required.

Luistro said the Deped was such a big organization and needed all the help it could get to ensure that graduation rites were “devoid of pomp and pageantry” and no fees were collected from students.

Arlene Brosas, national secretary general of Akap Bata Party-list, said they supported the Deped policy because it would benefit graduating students.

She encouraged concerned individuals, especially parents and even students, to call the hotline and report any forms of charges being collected by public school officials for graduation rites, yearbooks and the like.

Moreover, Luistro emphasized that the graduation rites should be solemn, focused on the students and their parents, and not be used as a venue for politicking.

Meanwhile, the Deped honored recently winners in the 2011 National Search for Outstanding Special Education (SPED) teachers and centers.

The winners were recognized for exemplary work in responding to the learning needs of children with learning disabilities or giftedness.

Luistro said the SPED awardees played a very important role in making Education for All (EFA) a reality.

“Inclusive education means all learners, including those who are differently abled. And we have the SPED teachers and centers nationwide to thank for their exemplary work,” he said.

National winners for teaching children with autism were Ma. Cristina Cardinal, Santa Ana Elementary School (ES) SPED Center, National Capital Region (NCR), first; Marife de Guzman, Tomana ES SPED Center, Pangasinan, second; and Marilou Oliveros, Sinag SPED Center, Kalalake, Olongapo City, third.

For teaching children with hearing impairment: Salvacion Olinares, P. Gomez ES SPED Center, NCR, first; Rosebeth Gabay, La Union SPED Center, San Fernando City, second; and Mylene Cosico, Candelaria West SPED Center, Quezon, third.

For teaching children with visual impairment: Apolinaria Sun, West City Exceptional Child Learning Center, Dumaguete City, first; Estela Sembrano of M. Hizon ES SPED Center, NCR, second; and Sh- eryll Ativo, Legazpi City SPED Center, Region 5, third.

For teaching children with intellectual disability: Zoraida Gonzales, La Union SPED Center, Region 1, first; Evelyn Basa, Baguio City SPED Center, second; and Juliet Sepe Sonjaco, West City Exceptional Child Learning Center, Dumaguete City, third.

For teaching children with learning disabilities: Flordelina Lee, Baguio City SPED Center, first; Myrakay Palana, Santo Niño SPED Center, Tacloban City, second; and Luz Cabogrin, Dipolog City SPED Center, Region 9, third.

For teaching children with giftedness: Lelibeth Duran, West City Exceptional Child Learning Center, Dumaguete City, first; Amcy Esteban, Legarda ES SPED Center, NCR, second; and Aubrey Marie Oasay, Catalino Acosta Memorial ES SPED Center, Batac City, Region 1, third placer.

The top three SPED Centers are Baguio City, first; Butuan City, second; and Angeles City, third.

The winners received plaques of recognition and cash prizes.