DEPED GEARS UP FOR SCHOOL OPENING

CHANDA MANUEL

In line with its annual initiative to engage education partners and stakeholders in preparation for the opening of classes, the Department of Education (DepEd) is set to reactivate Oplan Balik Eskwela (OBE) for School Year 2018-2019.

According to Education Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones, the conduct of the OBE will ensure that all learners are properly enrolled and able to attend school on the first day of classes by addressing problems, queries, and other concerns commonly encountered by our stakeholders at the start of the school year.

Regional and division offices are encouraged to set up a command center to receive and respond to concerns directly from the ground.

Regional information officers and other OBE personnel attended the 2018 OBE National Orientation last May 10 to 11 at the DepEd-CO to capacitate them on how to properly handle and answer questions from the public.

Some of the topics discussed at the orientation include Learner Reference Number (LRN) and Learner Information System (LIS); Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (GASTPE); Philippine Educational Placement Test (PEPT); K to 12 Program; enrollment policies; Kindergarten; Alternative Learning System (ALS); Madrasah Education Program; Special Education (SpEd) Program; disaster-preparedness; Child Protection Policy; and teacher hiring, among others.

Furthermore, to ensure that all school opening concerns will be addressed, including those outside the purview of the Department, DepEd will assemble the OBE Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF).

The DepEd said it is working closely with partners to ensure the delivery of quality, accessible, relevant, and liberating basic education.

The OBE-IATF is composed of the Department of Energy (DOE); Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG); Department of Health (DOH); Department of National Defense (DND), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH); Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD); Department of Trade and Industry (DTI); Manila Electric Company (MERALCO); Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS); Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA); Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA); and Philippine National Police (PNP).

The opening of classes for School Year 2018-2019 in all public schools nationwide is on June 4.

This effort is pursuant to the DepEd Memorandum No. 50, series of 2018, or the 2018 Oplan Balik Eskwela which is available online at http:/ / www.deped.gov.ph/ memos/ dm-050-s-2018.

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The author is Teacher III at San Agustin Elementary School, Lubao North District

ANGELITA A. GOPEZ

As a part of an organization, we employees would always have a leader with whom we must obey and respect. We do know that because he is the captain of our ship, he has a lot of complex roles and obligations and so, we expect him to be competent and qualified.

It is but just normal for us to have lots of things in mind about him. We are expecting a lot from him, we think about his qualifications and we even have a list of “the ideal boss” in our mind.

As workers, our perspective of a good leader is of course someone who is propeople. We want him to be someone who listens and considers us. We do not want someone who is autocratic. We want him to be a boss who motivates and empowers.

However, when our leader is competent yet too kind, some co-workers abuse this chance to always ask excessive favors that they tend to be productive in their workplace. Sad to say, some workers would even show off when their leader is watching, but would be very lax and lazy when he isn’t around.

But if we are professional and responsible, though our boss may not be looking, though our boss is too kind that he is so approachable, this doesn’t mean that we would no longer do our jobs well. This doesn’t mean that we would not care about our organization anymore because we just all want everything on our beneficial side.

It is because our BIG BOSS knows whatever we do. Thus our accountability wouldn’t just about our income. It is about the people that we serve and most of all, we must do our jobs well for the glory of our Lord.

That makes sense… all for the glory of Him. That is Good stewardship and obedient servitude.

The author is Master Teacher

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I at Parulog Elementary School, Bacolor South District