A group of education workers expressed concern about the new memorandum which issued by the Department of Education (DepED) which aims to promote “professionalism” among the agency’s officials and personnel.
“In the guise of promoting professionalism, parts of the memo actually threatens the freedom of expression and right to redress of grievances of DepEd personnel,” said Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) Philippines Chairperson Vlad Quetua said in a statement issued Friday, Nov. 4.
The group was reacting to the DepEd Order No. 47 series of 2022 titled “Promotion of Professionalism in the Implementation and Delivery of Basic Education Programs and Services” signed by Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte.
In the newly-issued order, Duterte reiterated that it is the policy of the agency to “promote effective and efficient policies and programs” thus, the “highest form of professionalism” should be practiced by DepED officials as well as its personnel — both teaching and non-teaching employees.
To be able to realize the successful implementation and delivery of basic education programs and services, Duterte said that DepEd “should be free from any partisan activities.”
In particular, Duterte reminded DepEd officials and employees to observe several measures to ensure the promotion of professionalism.
As such, DepED officials and personnel were asked to “refrain from seeking endorsements, recommendations, contributions, support, consideration, political accommodations, or any form of intervention from other government personnel or similar entities outside” of the agency.
Soliciting “favorable actions” from politicians to facilitate the implementation of programs, projects, or activities except those covered by the Adopt-A-School Program, initiated by the local government units, funded by the Special Education Fund (SEF), or covered by partnership agreements allowed by law, should also be avoided.
Furthermore, Duterte urged DepED officials and employees to “exercise utmost attention, prudence, and judiciousness” in the implementation and delivery of basic education programs and services.
Meanwhile, Quetua raised more concerns about the new DepED guidelines on supposed professionalism.
“It would be unprofessional for the secretary to refuse to act on or consider issues and concerns on basic education, however legitimate they may be, merely because the matter has been raised to a third party,” he said.
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https://mb.com.ph/2022/10/22/vp-sara-to-deped-officials-employees-practice-highest-form-of-professionalism/