As the Department of Education (DepEd) prepares for the expansion phase of limited face-to-face classes in more schools nationwide, Education Secretary Leonor Briones once again underscored the urgency of vaccinating teachers and non-teaching personnel against coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
“The Department launched to Vacc2School campaign earlier this year to make the teaching and non-teaching personnel aware on the advantages of the COVID-19 vaccine and how important it is on the gradual reopening of schools,” Briones said.
During a meeting for the newly-established Schools Division Office (SDO) of Canlaon City in Negros Oriental this week, Briones highlighted that the department has been “proactive” in encouraging teaching and non-teaching personnel to be vaccinated.
This, she noted, is an important element of DepEd’s safe back-to-school efforts.
DepEd and Canlaon Local Government Unit (LGU) officials also discussed the expansion of the implementation of limited face-to-face classes to the Province of Negros Oriental and the whole Central Visayas.
Meanwhile, Briones and the LGU of Canlaon City also talked about the crucial policies and initiatives to make the newly-established SDO of the said city fully functional.
“We are delighted that we added another member of the DepEd family -- the Schools Division Office of Canlaon City,” Briones said. “This is very vital in making sure that we are providing quality education to all learners,” she added.
DepEd said that Canlaon City is the seventh SDO in Negros Oriental and the 20th in Region VII (Central Visayas).
Along with Undersecretary for Field Operations Revsee Escobedo and Negros Oriental 1st District Representative Jocelyn Limkaichong, Briones asked for the recommendations for nominations of Schools Division Superintendent and Assistant Schools Division Superintendent as it is “essential in the policy-making” of the office.
“It is imperative to put people in the office who will create policies, projects, and initiatives to improve the learners' learning experience,” Briones said. “We want to hire people who are dedicated in public service,” she added.
During the meeting, Canlaon City Mayor Jose Cardenas also raised hiring concerns of Contract of Service personnel and permanent positions to ensure the smooth operations of the SDO.
As a response, Escobedo said that these matters would be forwarded to the Bureau of Human Resource and Organizational Development for “further actions and interventions.”
Meanwhile, the LGU of Canlaon City also vowed to turn over a one-hectare site for the facilities of the SDO. DepEd Region VII Director Salustiano Jimenez and Mayor Cardenas will further discuss procuring the lot.