PASIG CITY, July 23, 2018 – In response to the Department of Education’s (DepEd) mandate to provide a complete, adequate, and relevant basic education services, the Planning Service – Policy Research and Development Division (PS-PRD) spearheaded the launch of a monthly research forum dubbed as “Research O’Clock” on July 16, 2018 at the Bulwagan ng Karunungan in DepEd Central Office, Pasig City.

In partnership with the Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA) Philippines, Research O’Clock aims to provide a platform to share evidence in basic education sector and engage various stakeholders in meaningful discussions on the issues, concerns, and problems that affect the delivery of quality, accessible, relevant, and liberating basic education to the Filipino learners – the core of the 10-point agenda of DepEd Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones.
In his welcome remarks, Undersecretary for Planning and Field Operations Jesus L. R. Mateo mentioned the Department’s policy interventions that guide all governance levels to strengthen the internal processes and systems towards evidence-based decision-making. The Policy Development Process (DepEd Order No. 13, s. 2015) provides for systematic, evidence-based, and participatory mechanisms that is supported by the adoption of the Basic Education Research Agenda (DepEd Order No. 39, s. 2016) and establishment of Research Management Guidelines (DO 16, s. 2017).

“Gone are the days when policies, or DepEd orders or memoranda are issued by one office. Now we can see a lot of collaborations, cooperation prior to the issuance of any DepEd, department orders or memorandum,” Mateo underscored.

He also called on the participants to keep an open mind during the forum: “It is only through an open mind that we can really harness the potential of researches.”

Discussions revolved around the use of evidence in the policy development process, as presented by Director for Planning Service Roger B. Masapol. This was followed by IPA Philippines Country Director Nassreena Sampaco-Baddiri highlighting the importance of evaluating education programs. Lastly, IPA Principal Investigator Emily Beam shared global evidence in education to reflect on similar issues and challenges addressed by the Department.

The activity was participated by technical staff from DepEd Central Office, National Capital Region, CALABARZON, and MIMAROPA, and representatives from partner organizations and agencies including the National Economic and Development Authority – Social Development Staff (NEDA-SDS), Early Childhood and Care Development Council (ECCD), Philippine Business for Education (PBEd), and Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS).

“Times are changing brought about by developments in ICT, brought about by developments in the international scene, and it is incumbent upon all of us at the Department of Education to ensure that we analyze what is happening, and try to influence the policies of the department because whatever we do now, 12 years from now, it will impact the children,” Mateo concluded.

In 2018, Research O’Clock shall engage relevant stakeholders in discussing evidence for policy development. All DepEd offices and partners are enjoined to participate in the monthly discussions and presentations of research findings in basic education through registering via http://bit.ly/ResearchOclock.

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