By Merlina Hernando-Malipot
As part of its efforts to continuously improve programs and policies based on research results and evidence-based decision-making, the Department of Education (DepEd) is conducting a series of forum starting next month.
DepEd Sec. Leonor Briones
(FEDERICO CRUZ / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
Education Secretary Leonor Briones, in DepEd Memorandum No. 24 series of 2020, issued to undersecretaries, assistant secretaries, bureau and service directors, regional directors, schools division superintendents, and school heads of public and private elementary schools, announced the schedule and topics for the 2020 Research O’clock.
Briones noted that DepEd, having been mandated by Republic Act No. 9155, the Governance of Basic Education Act of 2001, “continuously conducts education research studies that serve as bases for necessary reforms and development.”
In December, Briones explained that DepEd also launched the “Sulong Edukalidad” its latest national campaign that aims to “consolidate the efforts of all stakeholders to raise the quality of basic education in the country.”
Briones noted that as DepEd continuously improves its programs and policies by advocating for strengthened evidence-based decision-making, the Research O’clock will be held starting in March until November at the Bulwagan ng Karunungan, DepEd Complex in Pasig City.
The Research O’clock forum, Briones said, “primarily seeks to promote the use of research results and evidence in decision-making, program designing and implementation, plan formulation and adjustment.”
Aside from providing a venue for DepEd offices to learn from research studies from different sectors and organizations, the Research O’clock also aims to “promote open discussion and continuous learning experiences for education leaders, researchers, policy-makers, and educators in the basic education sector.”
Briones noted that selected research studies from the Basic Education Research Fund (BERF) facilities and studies conducted by partner organizations such as research institutions and academe will be presented during the series of forum. “After each presentation, a policy dialogue will be conducted to gather more insights about addressing education issues and concerns that emerge from the laid presentation,” she explained.
All DepEd personnel, research practitioners, research enthusiasts, policy makers, program managers, and individuals with interest in specific education issues or topics covered by Research O’clock are invited to attend the forum.
The first Research O’clock for this year is scheduled on March 2 with the theme, “Addressing the Challenges in the Quality of Basic Education” with topics on understanding the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) report and pivot from access to quality (for the morning session) and action research studies on reading (for the afternoons session).
On April 27, the Research O’clock will be anchored on the theme “Innovations for Quality Teaching and Learning Delivery” with focus on trends and issues on teaching and learning and action research studies on K -12 learning areas as topics.
The forum’s theme on June 29 will focus on “Quality Learning Environment for the Learners’ Well-being” with topics on longitudinal studies on learner development and conditions for learner well-being.
The Research O’clock scheduled on Aug. 24 will center on the theme, “Quality Teachers for Better Learning Outcomes” focusing on topics such as policy research on teacher quality and pre-service teacher education and in-service training.
The “Quality of Senior High School Delivery for Lifelong Learning” will be theme of the Research O’clock on Oct. 12 - focusing on the status of senior high school implementation and senior high school delivery components.
On Nov. 23, the Research O’clock will focus on “Quality Flexible Learning Options” - particularly on the alternative learning system and flexible learning opportunities.
DepEd reminded its personnel that their attendance in the forum “must be approved by their immediate supervisor” and participation of teaching personnel shall be subject to the no-disruption-of-classes policy stipulated in DO 9, s. 2005: Instituting Measures to Increase Engaged Time-on-Task and Ensuring Compliance Therewith.
A Certificate of Participation and Appearance will be given to the attendees after the forum. DepEd also noted that the transportation and other incidental expenses incurred shall be charged against local funds subject to the usual accounting and auditing rules and regulations.