DepEd converges with National Network of Normal Schools for quality training programs for teachers, school leaders

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The Department of Education (DepEd), through the National Educators Academy of the Philippines (NEAP) and Teacher Education Council Secretariat (TECS), recently convened with the National Network of Normal Schools (3Ns) to discuss the provision of high-quality professional development programs and courses to teachers and school leaders.

“I have so much respect for State Universities being a product of public school. When I came to DepEd, I said that we’ll make it a policy that starting 2023 we will be working very closely with the Normal Schools, especially with the passage of RA 11713,” Undersecretary for Human Resource and Organizational Development Gloria Jumamil-Mercado said.

The convergence was also in line with the ‘Give support to teachers to teach better’ of the MATATAG Agenda.

Furthermore, this is also aligned with the passage of RA 11713, also known as the Excellence in Teacher Education Act, which strengthens ties between and among the concerned government agencies and unifies the interests of various stakeholders in teacher education in the Philippines.

“We will be ensuring that most of our partners on the ground would be part of the complementation and convergence between DepEd and Normal Schools and other schools that are considered Center of Excellence (COE) and Center of Development (COD) in Teacher Education. We will continue working together,” Usec. Jumamil-Mercado added.

Moreover, the convergence also aimed to co-develop the Professional Development Curriculum for teachers and school leaders, provide updates concerning in-service teachers, and orient the 3Ns on Education Futures.

The convergence was participated by the member universities of the 3Ns such as the Philippine Normal University, Bicol University, Bukidnon State University, Cebu Normal University, Leyte Normal University, Mariano Marcos State University, Palawan State University, Pangasinan State University, West Mindanao State University, West Visayas State University, with the participation of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines.

Cagayan de Oro to host 2023 NSPC in July

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The Department of Education (DepEd) is set to welcome back the country's best campus journalists with Cagayan De Oro hosting the return of a physical National Schools Press Conference (NSPC) from July 17 to 21, 2023.

For this year’s NSPC, only the top regional winner per medium will compete in the individual categories and only one team, composed of five members, per medium in the group categories. Moreover, a campus journalist can participate only in one event, either individual or group category.

Top 5 regional winners per medium, on the other hand, will be eligible to join the school paper category.

Similar to previous years, participants will vie for individual honors in various journalistic categories such as News Writing, Features Writing, Editorial Writing, Sports Writing, Copyreading and Headline Writing, Science and Technology Writing, Photojournalism, Editorial Cartooning, and Column Writing.

Teams from the elementary and secondary levels will also be competing in the Radio Script Writing and Broadcasting and Collaborative Desktop Publishing, while only secondary learners will take on Online Publishing and TV Script Writing and Broadcasting for the group contests.

Furthermore, entries for the school paper contest will be judged based on the News Section, Features Section, Editorial Section, Science and Technology Section, Sports Section, and Layout and Page Design.

Mobile journalism, which is set to be an added category in the next few years, will be introduced in a concurrent session to be attended by ten secondary campus journalists (five in English, five in Filipino) and ten school paper advisers from each region.

With the theme “From Campus Journalism to Real-World Journalism: Shaping Minds from Schools to Societies,” the annual Schools Press Conference will also award outstanding school paper advisers and campus journalists.

The annual conference intends to demonstrate an understanding of journalism through skillful execution in various platforms (i.e., print, broadcast, online) and provide learners the opportunities to use the skills learned in campus journalism for their future careers.

For more details on the 2023 NSPC, please visit https://bit.ly/2023-nspc

Expressing Our Gratitude: Honoring Our Healthcare Heroes

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In times of crisis, especially what we experienced as a nation during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, there emerged unsung heroes who worked tirelessly to safeguard our well-being and protect the essence of life itself.

The healthcare sector has some of the most dangerous workplace conditions. Health workers are routinely exposed to various health and safety hazards, such as disease-causing organisms, radiation, and chemicals.

During times of illness and adversity, healthcare workers, comprising doctors, nurses, paramedics, and countless others, have always been our guiding lights. Their unwavering empathy, tireless commitment to caring for the sick and injured, and their relentless pursuit of knowledge make them the resilient pillars of compassion in the Philippines.

Only health workers can run health systems, and their availability is crucial for increasing healthcare coverage and attaining the right to enjoy the greatest possible level of health.

Every May 7, we recognize our health workers' valuable contributions, sacrifices, and commitment. By virtue of Republic Act 10069, the law declared May 7 of every year as Health Workers Day to give due recognition to the important role and contribution of the health workers who provide vital health services to the people and to promote their rights and welfare and enhance their sense of worth and dignity.

In line with the observance, here are ways we can thank our health workers or our HEALTHCARE HEROES:

1. Post about them on social media
It can be a short video or a thank-you note. Your social media post can give health workers the inspiration they need to get through this trying time.


2. Thank them
Thank a health worker who has gone above and beyond for your loved one. Your words can make their day better and serve as a gentle reminder that helping others is what they do for a living.

If you don't let them know, they might not know how much the job they perform each day is greatly appreciated.


3. Offer Help
You may support a healthcare hero you know by assisting them with various tasks, whether they are a close friend or neighbor. They can be too busy to do occasional tasks since they work more hours and additional shifts.


4. Stay safe and healthy!
Staying safe and healthy is the best way to support our health workers. The COVID-19 pandemic is far from over. We must continue to get vaccinated, mask up, sanitize hands, and practice physical distancing.


The Philippine Government ensures that health workers are well compensated for their hard work. Last February 2023, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. instructed the Department of Health (DOH) to continue giving allowances to healthcare workers even after the state of calamity expiration due to the COVID-19 pandemic declared in 2020.

To encourage health workers in public and private facilities to remain in the Philippines, the DOH also proposes standardizing compensation and enhancing their benefits.

Our country is fortunate to have health workers who are compassionate warriors, healers in white coats, and dedicated souls who stand at the forefront of healthcare.

From the bustling emergency rooms in private hospitals, to public hospital wards, healthcare workers have continously faced the challenges of pandemics, emergencies, and everyday ailments with unwavering determination and dedication. It is time to express our profound gratitude and acknowledge the extraordinary contributions of these selfless individuals. The Philippine Information Agency extends its snappy salute!