KALIBO, Aklan — Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte said the Department of Education (DepEd) will focus on the benefits for teachers, growth of learners, and the rehabilitation and reconstruction of school infrastructures under her term.

This, as the Vice President on Saturday attended the Aklan’s Ten Outstanding Mentors (ATOM) Awarding Ceremonies at the Augusto B. Legaspi Memorial Sports and Cultural Complex here.

“Tututukan natin ang mga teachers, learners, at ang ating school infrastructures,” Duterte said.

According to Duterte, the DepEd and the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) have an ongoing commitment for a monthly updating on the deliverables for the implementation of benefits for the teaching and non-teaching staff.

The Vice President, who is also Education Secretary, added that DepEd is currently reaching out to the Department of Health (DOH) to ensure that DepEd employees enjoy free health check ups.

“Pangalawa, ay ang pakikipag-usap namin sa Department of Health in which they are very welcoming and truly receptive about, is ang pagtanggal ng gastos ng check up ng mga teachers sa kanilang P5,000 na allowance,” Duterte said.

“Pinapakiusapan po namin at patuloy ang pakikipag dialogo namin sa Department of Health na gawing libre ang check up ng teachers,” she added.

Duterte also said the DepEd is also reaching out to the Office of the President to provide additional benefits to the teaching and non-teaching staff of the Department of Education.

On the employment for basic education graduates, Duterte said the department is reviewing the K to 10 and Grades 11 to 12 curriculum to ensure that graduates are immediately employable by sectors and industries, which was the sole purpose for the K to 12 program.

“Lagi po nating sinasabi na ang mandatory lang po ay ang basic education. ‘Yung mga learners na nasa atin sa Department of Education, dapat pag-graduate nila, kapag hindi na sila tumuloy sa higher education, ay pwede na silang magtrabaho,” Duterte said.

Duterte also recognized the important work and enormous contributions of the Aklan’s Ten Outstanding Mentors (ATOM) awardees.

She said the awarding ceremony is a celebration of the awardees’ “impact on the lives of our learners and in our lives as a community.”

“It is truly an honor to see this year's Aklan Ten Outstanding Mentors (ATOM), who serve as exemplary role models for both the Aklan community and the whole country,” Duterte said.

“Our dear teachers and mentors, you hold the key to our children's future, and I honor each and every one of you for your zeal, commitment, and contributions to your community even beyond the call of duty. Congratulations for choosing the noble profession of being a teacher, being a mentor,” she added.

The Vice President granted the ATOM awardees with P20,000 each, on top of the P20,000 reward from 2nd District of Aklan Representative Teodorico Haresco Jr., and P5,000 reward from the Office of Kalibo Mayor Juris Sucro.

OVP MEDIA