By Merlina Hernando-Malipot
The Department of Education (DepEd) enjoined schools to conduct activities that will highlight the commemoration of the 121st Anniversary of the Philippine Independence today, June 12.
Education Secretary Leonor Briones (SCREENSHOT / RTVM / MANILA BULLETIN)
Education Secretary Leonor Briones, in DepEd Memorandum No. 53 s. of 2019, urged both public and private schools to participate in activities that are related to the celebration. They are also requested to hold other activities in the respective schools to help “instill in the hearts and minds of the youth the greatness of the Filipino race.”
Holding activities related to the commemoration of this year’s Philippine Independence Day anniversary, Briones said, will also help instill among the youth the “legacy of their national heroes and the ideals of their nationhood.”
Briones noted that this year’s celebration also aims to “commemorate the heroism, patriotism, nationalism and self-sacrifice of the Filipinos’ forefathers in the struggle for independence.” Participation to these activities, she added, will also “show unity and strength during challenging times.”
In time for the commemoration of the 121st anniversary of the Philippine Independence as well as the observance of the National Flag Day which started on May 28, the DepEd directed its regional offices, schools division offices, and schools nationwide to undertake activities that will help instill nationalism and patriotism among learners and teachers.
DepEd enjoined all schools to display the Philippine Flag in their respective classrooms, offices and residences of all teaching and nonteaching personnel from May 15 to June 30, 2019. Likewise, special discussions on the Philippine Flag for “continuous flag awareness and discuss significant events in history” which led to the proclamation of the Philippine Independence.
DepEd also noted that special discussions on Philippine Independence and the Philippine Flag should take place when teaching subjects such as Sibika at Kultura, HEKASI, Araling Panlipunan, Values Education, Music, Arts, Physical Education and Health (MAPEH), Filipino and English at least once a week for the whole school year.
Teachers, DepEd said, may also ask their students to submit school work related to the celebration of the Independence Day. For Kindergarten to Grade 3, students may submit a drawing of a Philippine flag while the higher grades may submit reflection paper on “what they did” during the Independence Day or “share experiences what the Philippine Independence means to them.” These are to be collected by their respective faculty members to be submitted to DepEd offices for filing.
Meanwhile, other “creative and fitting” activities related to the celebration of the 2019 Philippine Independence may include the conduct the inter-school campus essay writing, drawing, storytelling, debate, and oratorical contests as well as holding symposium or table discussion to raise awareness on the event and propagate values like nationalism, patriotism, and love of the country that were exhibited by the Filipinos during the trying periods of the country.