The Department of Education in its quest to improve basic quality education came up with a vital and essential action to improve the performance of the school children.  As a response to this erstwhile call, in effect, an issuance of DepEd Order #39, s. 2016 entitled: “Adoption of the Basic Education Research Agenda” was created.

As an offshoot, DepED RO9 thru the Policy, Planning and Research Division (PPRD) along with the Policy and Research Development of the Central Office conducted a 2016 Regional Research Caravan on July 18, 2016 at Mardale Hotel, Pagadian City.

In compliance with the issuance, the department said that objectives were aimed to disseminate and promote basic education research agenda to external stakeholders, development partners, research institutions, higher education institutions and other partner institutions interested in research; strengthen existing partnerships and discuss new research collaborations based on the agenda; develop network of education research advocates in the region; and inform DepEd stakeholders on current national and research activities.

This event was participated by the different DepED key officials of this region, CHED, DOST, HEI’s and other non-government agencies who are instrumental to the educational development of this department.

On the same occasion, Dr. Borres expressed her full support to this program and urged everyone on their sincere commitment to this endeavor.  The keynote speaker Dr. Nora Agustero, VP for Academic Affairs and Research Director of Saint Columban College, Pagadian City, had spoken about the rudiments of research and some ethical issues to be considered relative to the scholarly researches. DepEd Central Office official, Mr. Emiljohn Sentillas pointed out that said undertakings must all be anchored on the four key themes, namely: Teaching and Learning; Child Protection; Human Resource Development; and Governance.

According to the department that the four themes mentioned were not adequate to spotlight the continuous improvement in the delivery of effective and efficient basic education services; hence, other cross-cutting themes were included to capture the holistic targets of the problems of the whole system to include Disaster Risk Reduction Management; Gender and Development; Inclusive Education; and other themes chosen to address most pressing subjects.

Dr. Romeo Daligdig, also presented extensively the Regional Research Initiatives which covered the First Regional Research Congress and the Regional CI Research Symposium and the plan to conduct the second research congress again.  Other research enthusiasts who were present also delivered their testimonies and all research presenters received certificate of recognition for their valuable contribution.

In a nutshell, “this convergence aims to do certain educational reforms having in mind our school children. This is as well a good avenue to generate new knowledge in prioritizing to address other educational concerns” said Daligdig.