Education Secretary Leonor Briones recognized the efforts of teachers – both in public and private schools – in helping the Department of Education (DepEd) to ensure that learning delivery will be effective amid the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Thanks to our teachers who, along with us, bore with the terrible burden of transitioning to COVID-19 education with all these demands on teaching, on curriculum on technology, as well as all the requirements to make a small, effective in delivering learning,” Briones said in a forum for the International Day of Education (IDE) celebration.
“Our people are prepared to make all the sacrifices necessary, do everything to make sure that our children get the education we believe they deserve which will prepare them for the life that lies ahead of them,” Briones added.
DepEd, together with international education advocates, lauded the efforts of teachers worldwide amid the COVID-19 pandemic during the “Stories of Revitalization and Excellence: 2021 IDE Virtual Forum” as part of this year’s IDE.
With the theme, “Recover and Revitalize Education for the COVID-19 Generation,” various international resource speakers shared their respective insights, experiences, and best practices in facing the new normal in the education system.
During the forum, Briones also pointed out various interventions that the Department has introduced amid the pandemic to ensure the learning continuity that includes the contextualization of the Basic Education-Learning Continuity Plan (BE-LCP) and the introduction of Education Futures Program (EFP).
Meanwhile, DepEd Undersecretary and Chief of Staff Nepomuceno Malaluan explained the four pillars of DepEd’s “Sulong EduKalidad” which was launched in December 2019 in improving the education system in the country.
As part of the distinguished speakers, the Assistant Director-General for Education of UNESCO Paris, France Stefania Giannini also discussed that countries should do collaborations and re-imagine education for the learners as we approach the future. Deputy Director of SEAMEO Secretariat Dr. Kritsachai Somsaman imparted education interventions of the members of the Southeast Asian region,
Nadia Lopez, founding principal of Mott Hall Bridges Academy in the USA, also underscored the importance of academic leaders taking care of teachers and students amid the global crisis.
Meanwhile, Ranjitsinh Disale, the 2020 Global Teacher Prize winner from India, shared his journey in overcoming the challenges of education. Global Teacher Prize finalist from Turkey Nurten Akkus conveyed her initiatives in helping the teachers from her country while Barbara Ana Zielonka, the 2018 Global Teacher Prize top 10 finalist from Norway, also talked about the use of education technology in achieving learning excellence globally.
DepEd Undersecretary for Planning, Human Resource, and Organizational Development Jesse Mateo and Undersecretary for Curriculum and Instruction Diosdado San Antonio also represented DepEd in the forum.