The world is changing.

-Bro. Armin Luistro

Editorial

Books: not for sale

and not for K12
page 2

Keryx Chronicler
Truth told.

October 23, 2015 Vol. 1, No. 1

New admin will support

K12Luistro
by Palace Athena

On COA blasting old curriculum books purchase

Educ sec bats DepEd project

by Artemis Diana

In response to the criticism DepEd received from

Commission on Audit (COA) on the P608.7 million worth
of old curriculum books purchase, Bro. Armin A. Luistro, the Department of Education Secretary, defended the
project during his interview with Karen Davila of ABSCBNs Bandila, October 23.

Luistro said on his interview that he would accept
that the books are indeed old but he strongly refuted
COAs use of the word obsolete against the old curriculum books for it is highly inappropriate for the books have
no changes as to content and competencies.

He added that these books could be used as references for the expanded K-12 curriculum and should not
be termed as unnecessary project.
Moreover, he revealed that each book only costs around
P37 to P40 and COA did not realize it but instead they
focused on his departments shortcomings.

On the other hand, he admits that there was
a delay of the
deliveries of these
textbooks last
2012 for Grades
1 and 7 due to
their translation
to more than 60
mother tongues
and slow procurement.
Luistro declared
his willingness
to face COA
and anyone who
dares DepEd
while deeming
that DepEd is not
hiding anything.

I will resign!

Bro. Armin Luistro, Department of Education
(DepEd) Secretary jokingly said should the incoming administration will not support the K-12 program come 2016
elections.

This he stated on a press conference during the
Center for Professional Advancement of Educators-sponsored National Campus Journalism and Digital Media
Seminar-Workshop, October 23-25.

However, Luistro responded that he is confident
that the new administration will support the program as it
will cause significant difference in strengthening the quality
of education in the country.

Mas klaro ang competency sa K-12 program kung
ikukumpara sa lumang kurrikulum kaya dapat natin itong
ipatupad para sa ikakabuti ng mga kabataan, said Luistro.

(The learning competencies are clearer in the K-12
program compared to the old curriculum.)

Previously, Philippines ranked poor seventh in
Southeast Asia in the area of education and innovation
in the 2010-2011 Global Competitiveness Report of the
World Economic Forum.

In an effort to guarantee the success of the new
curriculum, he further added that DepEd is fortifying its
workforce as the department safeguards that they are hiring
teacher applicants based on skills, not political motivation.

In terms of teachers readiness, I can assure an
80% accomplishment, the secretary continued.

Duterte backs new curriculum

by Hera Juno

Believing that K-12 program makes positive impact to our country, Mayor Rodrigo Duterte
of Davao City expressed his support on the program
through a press conference during the National Campus Journalism and Digital Seminar-Wrokshop, October 23.

He articulated his
ardent desire to support the
program by declaring that he
is willing to give additional incentives from the funds of the
city in advocating K-12.

He also confirmed that
the rumor of his presidential
candidacy is not true but he
will still continue to stand up
for K-12.