GOVPH

The Last Mile: SDO Quezon delivers technical assistance to schools in Polillo, visits Real Sub-Office

 To respond to immediate educational needs of island schools in Polillo as part of the Top Management’s (TM) commitment to bring closer the services to Last Mile Schools (LMSs), the Schools Division Office (SDO) of Quezon province conducted a field technical assistance (TA) activity, June 15-18, 2021.

Chaired by Dr. Elias Alicaya Jr., Schools Division Superintendent, the four (4) teams of TA providers and monitoring personnel from the different functional Divisions of the SDO assisted twenty-three (23) public elementary and secondary schools, in terms of the following concerns: school titling; BEIS and hardship allowance guidelines; realignment and adjustment of schools’ Annual Implementation Plan (AIP) and Work and Financial Plan (WFP); judicious use of Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE); promotion and reclassification of qualified school heads and teachers; implementing curriculum in the New Normal, especially the delivery of Self-Learning Modules (SLMs); and managing operations through School Based Management (SBM), health protocols, inventory of supplies, and research.

Team 1, led by SDS Alicaya, visited schools farthest from the town proper: Languyin Elementary School (ES), Canicanian ES, Bigyan ES, Polillo National High School (NHS), and Polillo NHS Extension. Herbert Perez, OIC-Assistant Schools Division Superintendent (ASDS), took Team 2 to Kalubakis ES, Bislian ES, Pamatdan ES, Macnit ES, Polillo CES, Libjo ES, and Bucao ES. The trail of Team 3 managed by Gregorio Co Jr., OIC-ASDS, included Salipsip ES, Binibitinan ES, Taluong ES, Anawan ES, Tamulaya ES, and Taluong NHS. On the other hand, Team 4 with the guidance of Gregorio Mueco, OIC-ASDS, provided professional help to Sabang ES, Sibulan ES, Pinaglubayan ES, Pelion ES, and Sabang NHS. Because of the unique topography of the island, destinations were reached by said teams through “habal-habal” ride. All involved, including the monitoring officials, strictly followed local IATF health and safety protocols in the duration of the activity.

Upon arrival, the TM together with the monitoring team held a meeting with school heads in the area. Dr. Leonora Mopera, Public Schools District Supervisor, who was also present ushered the TM in a courtesy call at the municipal mayor’s office.

One of the major highlights of the activity was the visit to Polillo NHS’s “TV sa Isla”, which serves as the school’s partnership endeavor with a local tv channel in support to the Department’s Learning Continuity Plan (LCP) in times of pandemic.

In June 14, a Quality Management System (QMS) meeting was conducted at the J. Vergara Hotel (Real, Quezon) function hall to discuss matters of importance to sustain quality implementation of QMS practices in the Division. Dr. Peter Andrew Regencia discussed the results of the feasibility study conducted by the research team for the much-awaited devolution of select SDO processes in the Division’s sub-offices. A visit to the Real Sub-Office was also made before going back to station. This was made to ensure that resources (human and material) would be sufficient to ensure the sub-office’s full, unhampered operation.

The Division’s Creative Team in collaboration with members in Polillo District made possible the awe-inspiring documentations. A video summary of this M&E and TA activity will be released very soon at the DepEd Tayo official Facebook Page, and Division website.