In an effort to ensure communications convergence are coordinated and strengthened from the schools to the national level, the Department of Education (DepEd) directed the designation of School Information Coordinators (SICs).
Education Secretary Leonor Briones signed the DepEd Memorandum No. 017 s. of 2021 issued to regional directors, schools division superintendents, public elementary and secondary school heads and all others concerned for the designation of SICs.
“An SIC shall be designated n every public elementary, secondary, and senior high school nationwide as counterparts of the Division and Regional Information Officers,” Briones said in the memo.
Briones explained that the SICs to be designated shall be tasked to “assist and act as focal persons in verifying and addressing issues and concerns raised by the public and the media involving their school or area” and “facilitate the conduct of verification of information based on protocols, data privacy, integrity and confidentiality.”
SICs are also expected to “facilitate the communication of any untoward incidents in their respective areas” and submit a detailed report within 24 hours to DepEd Central Office (CO) Public Affairs Service (PAS) copy furnished their respective regional and schools division offices.
SICs, Briones said, shall “provide updates to the schools division, region or CO that may be referred to in media releases to national media.” They are also expected to “support their respective schools, schools division, and regional offices in responding to media queries on local issues.”
Moreover, SICs shall “coordinate with the schools division, regional or CO to request for official statements on existing issues” and “perform duties and responsibilities related to DepEd Public Affairs programs, projects, and activities.”
SICs will also “perform other tasks related to the efficient communication, documentation and dissemination of information to DepEd CO and vice versa.”
Briones said that the designated SICs should be holding a teaching or non-teaching position in the school; wt least two or three years employed in DepEd; able to communicate and write well, and have good public relations skills; and able to respond to issues and concerns requested by the schools division, regional, Of the Central Office.
“The designation of a teacher to perform as School Information Coordinator shall be recommended by the school head to the Schools Division Superintendent (SDS) for approval,” Briones added.
Briones said that the SDS - through the Division Information Office - is requested to submit the enclosed form with the name of the designated SIC to the Regional Information Officer copy furnished the DepEd PAS through email at [email protected] not later than May 15, 2021.