The Department of Education (DepEd) recognized the efforts initiated by various local governments units (LGUs) and its schools division offices (SDOs) in addressing challenges under the distance learning set-up amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
In particular, DepEd cited the local effort in the implementation of the Basic Education-Learning Continuity Plan (BE-LCP) initiated by the SDO of Pasig City by unveiling seven Instructional Media Centers (IMC) to sustain the division's efforts in producing educational videos.
Undersecretary for Administration Alain Del Pascua lauded the SDO Pasig as he underscored the importance of the and field office collaboration in addressing challenges of distance learning.
“Gusto ko lang i-emphasize na ang mga initiatives na ito ang DepEd Commons, DepEd TV, at DepEd Radio na kapag pinagsama-sama sa IMCs ay magiging kahanga-hanga ang mga divisions, mga regions, pati na rin ang mga eskuwelahan (I just want to emphasize that the initiatives like DepEd Commons, DepEd TV, and DepEd Radio when combined with IMCs will make the divisions, regions, as well as schools more impressive),” Pascua said.
DepEd Commons, DepEd TV and DepEd Radio are projects spearheaded by the Information and Communications Technology Service headed by Director Abram Y.C. Abanil, under the Administration Strand led by Pascua and Assistant Secretary Salvador Malana III and in coordination with the Curriculum and Instruction Strand.
It is part of the Public Schools of the Future (PSOF) Framework of the Administration Strand under the leadership of Secretary Leonor Briones.
Pascua personally inspected the IMC at the Division Office which would house Pasigueño teachers and the video production team during tapings of instructional materials.
Aside from the Division Office's IMC, there are six satellite IMCs strategically located in different schools in Pasig, namely, Pasig Elementary School, San Miguel Elementary School, Rizal High School, Manggahan High School, Pasig City Science High School, and Buting Senior High School.
Meanwhile, OIC-Schools Division Superintendent Evalou Agustin shared that establishing IMC is a sustainable way of maximizing the video production equipment and materials provided by the City Government of Pasig.
"What we envision is that the IMCs will not only be used in creating lessons it can also be used by the different units in the division to create infomercials, to update our teachers on the latest guidelines, issuances, including the Citizen's Charter of our division," Agustin said.
Aside from the launching of the newly-installed IMC units, teachers from SDO Pasig will undergo a series of trainings as hosts, scriptwriters, directors, editors, and videographers.
Meanwhile, Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto also lauded the initiative. “This is something that we're very excited to see,” he said.
In the midst of the crisis, Sotto underscored the need to continue to improve and to innovate. “This is what the launching of the instructional media center is showing us,” he ended.