The Department of Education (DepEd) sought the support of the local government in Baguio City to ensure that the ongoing repair and rehabilitation of the National Educators Academy of the Philippines (NEAP) facility in Baguio City will not be further interrupted due to the health situation in the country.
DepEd, in a statement issued Tuesday, May4 confirmed that Undersecretary Nepomuceno Malaluan met with Mayor Benjamin Magalong last month to share updates about the NEAP facility in Baguio City.
Malaluan sought Magalong’s support on coronavirus disease (COVID-19) monitoring and management in the construction site to ensure project implementation will be unhampered.
DepEd expressed gratitude to Magalong for giving his “full support and assurance” that his office will provide the necessary coordination and assistance to DepEd.
In 2019, Education Secretary Leonor Briones launched Sulong Edukalidad, the department’s flagship program to address the challenge of quality in basic education.
Sulong Edukalidad comprises four pillars, namely: K to 12 curriculum review and update; improving the learning environment; teachers’ upskilling and reskilling; and engagement of stakeholders for support and collaboration.
DepEd said that the key reform initiative is the transformation of NEAP within the pillar of teachers’ upskilling and reskilling.
The components of the transformation include the organizational transformation, through the increase in permanent items and reorganizing the functional units; the program transformation, through the introduction of a recognition system to ensure the quality and integration of in-service professional development programs, courses, and training for teachers and school leaders; and the upgrading of facilities, such as the rehabilitation and renovation of the NEAP in Teachers Camp to transform it into a well-equipped and technically advanced training facility.
During the meeting, Malaluan also shared the performance of Baguio City National High School (BCNHS) in the 2018 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA).
BCNHS performed above the Philippine average and even above Thailand and Indonesia in all three assessed subjects of Math, Science, and Reading.