The Department of Education (DepEd) in the Ilocos Region launched the Oplan Kalusugan (OK) sa DepEd program on July 18.
OK sa DepEd is a convergence of DepEd’s health programs, plans, policies, and activities for effective implementation at the school level, in partnership with various stakeholders.
The said program focuses in the five flagship programs of the DepEd, namely School-Based Feeding Program (SBFP); National Drug Education Program (NDEP); Adolescent Reproductive Health Education (ARH); Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene in School (WinS); and Medical, Dental, and Nursing Services (MDNS).
Dr. Danilo Concepcion, medical officer IV of DepED, presented the program overview and the status of Region 1 in terms of its implementation.
The first flagship health program, which is SBFP, promotes nutrition, improves academic performance, and encourages daily classroom attendance among Kinder to Grade 6 learners by providing hot meals in schools.
According to Dr. Concepcion, “In Region 1 malaki na ang pinagbago ng wasted at severely wasted na mga students in terms of their weight and health condition.”
With the help of the school principals who regularly submit nutritional assessment reports and list of beneficiaries for the feeding program, the impact of the feeding program is closely monitored.
NDEP, as the second flagship program of OK sa DepED, provides a holistic approach to the problem of drug abuse by collaborating with all sectors under a unified, scientific, research-based and responsive procedure.
One of the strategies to fight against drugs and substance abuse is the curriculum integration of the ill-effects of drugs to students as early as Grade 4.
In the recent dialogue with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), DepEd has opposed to the idea of a mandatory drug testing among Grade 4 students; but instead, a random drug testing among junior and senior high school is workable in order to determine the prevalence of drug addiction in schools.
Third is ARHE, which enhances the capacities of guidance counselors and teachers to handle Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive concerns in schools. This is also integrated in the curriculum as students are taught on the adverse effects of early pregnancy.
Another aspect of the ARHE is the offered flexible learning option, which is an alternative system of education, that caters to learners with special needs, like pregnant learners.
In this alternative learning system, a student does not need to attend regular classes as course modules will be provided for possible home study set-up.
According to DepEd Assistant Secretary Alma Ruby Torio, former regional director of DepEd Region 1, “Nobody should be left behind. DepEd is supportive in maintaining a positive climate in schools in these kinds of situations.”
As of June 2018, there are 123 reported cases of teenage pregnancy, of which a 9 year-old girl is the youngest pregnant learner in the region.
Asec. Torio also added that since ARHE is part of the 10-point agenda of DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones, DepEd-1 ensures to work closely with the Regional Development Council to address this issue.
Fourth is the WINS, which is implemented alongside the Essential Health Care Program (EHCP) and deworming, focuses on the standards for the promotion of clean, safe and correct hygiene and sanitation practices.
Region1 is, so far, 60 percent compliant with Paringao Elementary School in Bauang, La Union as one of the commended schools for its best practices in providing safe and potable water for its learners and school-based personnel.
The fifth flagship program of OK sa DepEd is MDNS, which is geared towards preventive health care and promotion, protection, and maintenance of learner’s and school personnel’s physical well-being.
In the pipeline is the construction of 2,100 medical and dental clinics in the region, which are expected to be completed by 2019.
On the same event, the Gulayan sa DepEd Regional Office 1 was also opened as the agency’s officials and staff worked together in vegetable gardening inside the vicinity to promote socialization and camaraderie.
A press conference was conducted after the opening ceremonies where local media, student leaders, and campus journalists from Osias Colleges, Inc., Tarlac City, raised questions about the program.
The Pulis mascot of the Philippine National Police also added entertainment during the event. # Source - (JNPD/MEGRP/PIA-1)
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