EDUCATION, HEALTH GO HAND-IN-HAND

MICAH JAHLEEL E. REGALA

The Department of Education underscored how education and health go hand-in-hand as the most significant indicator of poverty reduction vis-à-vis the goals of the United Nations.

DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones elaborated on how the health challenges faced by the country today are different from the health challenges five years ago. She said health and education challenges now are more complex, and then it also becomes a political and social, as well as an economic issue.

In this light, the objectives of the department’s flagship health program Oplan Kalusugan (OK) sa DepEd are the provision of basic primary health, nutrition and dental services to learners to allow them to achieve their full educational potential; the practice of healthier behavior among school personnel and learners that they can do on their own; and the strengthening of linkages with health providers and the local governments for child and adolescent health ser v i ces.

Meawhile, the Department’s strategic directions in terms of health and education include the preventive aspects of the campaign against illegal drugs which also involves the media, church institutions, and civil society organizations.

In addition to the curriculum review on the integration of preventive drug education, the Department will be developing a supplemental education material that is more comprehensive. The DepEd will also seek the support of agencies including the Department of Health (DOH), Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB), and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

Meanwhile, the Department is looking forward to the crafting of the implementing rules and regulations on the recently signed national feeding program law, together with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Meantime, DepEd had proposed to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to increase the salary grade of guidance counselors, and to create an entry-level position to attract fresh graduates since the law requires the completion of a graduate degree and the passing of licensure exam for full-fledged guidance counselors.

The OK sa DepEd Program is spearheaded by the Office of the Undersecretary for Administration, through the School Health Division of the Bureau of Learner Support Services. More information about the program is available through DepEd Order No. 28, 2018 dated July 6, 2018.

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The author is Teacher I at Tinajero High School-Main