To : Undersecretaries
Assistant Secretaries
Bureau Directors
Directors of Services, Centers and Heads of Units
Regional Directors
Schools Division /City Superintendents
Heads, Public and Private Elementary and Secondary Schools

1. All DepED Orders relevant to equity and access to basic education are issued to comply to the Provisions of the Constitution. Some important stipulations in these Orders had been reiterated time and again for emphasis on its compliance. However, reports and complaints still reach this Office which may reflect negligence of responsibility and accountability of concerned officials.
2. In view of this, the Department of Education hereby issues this Order to emphasize the call for strict adherence to the provision of Section 3 of Batas Pambansa Bilang 232 to wit: The state shall promote the right of every individual to relevant quality education, regardless of sex, age, creed, socio-economic status, physical and mental conditions, racial or ethnic origin, political or other affiliation. The State shall therefore promote and maintain equality of access to education as well as the enjoyment of the benefits of education by all citizens.
3. Likewise, strict adherence to all issued DepED Orders particularly the general guidelines for the opening of classes stipulated in DepED Order No. 40, s. 2008 is also emphasized specifically on 6-year old children who are eligible for enrolment to Grade 1.
4. All education officials at all levels are instructed to take immediate measures to implement this directive as this is in consonance with our initiatives toward Education For All and in accordance with the Millennium Development Goals.

For immediate and strict implementation.

DO_s2008_061