DepEd Update And Advisory Regarding Sendong

The Department of Education has ordered the release of P.5 million in the regional office in Northern Mindanao to be used as operating expense in schools being used as evacuation centers as well as in clean up operations.

Education Secretary Armin Luistro also said that families of teachers who died during the catastrophe will be given P10,000 each in financial assistance while teaching and non-teaching employees will be provided with calamity loans through DepEd’s provident fund.

DepEd is mobilizing its engineering and health units in assessing the damage and needs of affected schools in the aftermath of typhoon Sendong which ripped through Northern Mindanao last week.

Luistro who personally led the inspection team of DepEd officials reported that, based on initial assessment, some 28 schools in four schools divisions were affected. Hardest hit by rampaging floodwater spawned by the typhoon were Cagayan de Oro City and Iligan. Also affected were schools in Agusan del Sur, Lanao del Sur.

Reports as of December 20 revealed that damaged classrooms total 167. DepEd engineers and health professionals continue to validate and consolidate damage reports.

DepEd: Make Christmas celebration simple and meaningful

The Department of Education announces that Christmas vacation in public schools starts on December 21 and classes resume on January 3, 2012 to give students and teachers time to observe the holiday season.

Education Secretary Armin Luistro said that schools may hold their Christmas party on December 19 or 20 which is an annual tradition before the long holiday break. Luistro, however, cautioned the schools to refrain from holding a lavish and compulsory holiday celebration.

“I want to reiterate that Christmas parties should be simple and meaningful and if ever there is going to be any form of contribution, it should be voluntary,” Luistro advised.

The education chief said that teachers and school officials must see to it that the guidelines contained in DepEd Order 114, series of 2009 on the holding of simple Christmas celebrations are strictly observed.

“Jesus Christ led a simple life so we can do no less,” added Luistro.

He warned that school officials will be held liable if the department receives complaints and that they may be faced with administrative sanctions if proven guilty of insubordination