MORE NEWS, PAMPANGA

DepEd launches campaign vs teacher abuse of pupils

SAN FERNANDO CITY, Pampanga – The Department of Education has launched a region-wide campaign against pupil abuse in public and private elementary and secondary schools in Central Luzon. DepEd Region 3 Director Mario L. Ramirez said the move is in compliance with DepEd Memorandum No. 297 issued recently by Education Undersecretary for Legal Affairs Franklin

Sunga in the wake of growing number of cases of corporal punishment inflicted by teachers on schoolchildren. Ramirez said Sunga’s memorandum noted several teachers, especially those in the elementary grades, have become overzealous in exercising their substitute parental authority on their pupils.

Sunga said substitute parental authority "is not without limitation and that it can only be exercised within school premises." Sunga also said parental authority is to be exercised only for the purpose of protection and promotion of the physical, mental and moral well-being of the students.

Sunga’s directive also noted that any form of corporal punishment constitutes violations of Republic Act No. 7610, otherwise known as the "Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act." Sunga’s memorandum listed several pupil abuse acts which are criminal offenses and, therefore, should be avoided by classroom teachers.

These acts include physical and psychological abuse, neglect, cruelty, sexual abuse, emotional maltreatment; any act by deeds or words which debase, or degrade or demean the intrinsic worth and dignity of a child as a human being, and failure to give medical treatment to an injured pupil.

Sunga also cited the DepEd Service Manual which contains provisions on the rights and proper treatment of school children, Ramirez noted.

The Central Luzon education chief has advised teachers and field school officials to avoid any form of child abuse which, if they are found guilty of, could send them to jail or cause their dismissal from the service. -- PR


Gov’t program to provide education for poor dropouts

SAN FERNANDO CITY, Pampanga — President Arroyo has ordered officials of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and Commission on Higher Education to implement her program of providing poor high school graduates and college dropouts affordable college education.

Sec. Augusto Boboy Syjuco, TESDA secretary-general bared here last week the presidential instruction following his visit to some universities and technical vocational institutions in Pampanga and Tarlac in connection with the joint TESDA-NEDA college education program.

The joint college education program was patterned after the now popular Pinoy Ladderized Education Program (Pinoy-LEP) introduced by TESDA on July 12. Pinoy-LED means starting with technical vocational (tech-voc) courses that are creditable for college degrees.

Tarlac Gov. Victor A. Yap commended TESDA and CHED for their joint education program, saying that this would give Tarlac high school graduates the opportunity to pursue college education. Syjuco also said the administration is fully supporting the joint program and is providing the funds needed.

TESDA and CHED authorities were finalizing the plan to assist poor high school graduates and college dropouts to get free college education under Pinoy-LEP. Aside from the challenge of sustaining its lead in technical vocational education and training in the last four months, TESDA also undertakes major developments in TVET.

Syjuco said the partnership of TESDA and CHED in implementing Pinoy-LEP and upgrading of the TESDA assessment and certification program with special focus of the maritime industry was a step in the right direction. Recently newly appointed CHED Chairman Romulo Neri expressed his commitment to Syjuco for the implementation of Pinoy-LEP.

Both government offices said all courses will be ladderized by school year 2008-2009. Courses in computer operations proficiency and English proficiency for call center agents would be standard Tek-Bok qualification in every college-degree program. LEP is a seamless and borderless education system which allows mobility in terms of flexible entry and exit into the educational system.

In essence, LEP combines theory with skills and competencies, making graduates more employable, Syjuco said. Since 1987, the Philippines had been the leading supplier of seafarers in the International market, making the country the manning capital of the world. Today, almost 20 percent of the 1.23 million seafarers worldwide are Filipinos.