BEAM Newsletter

DepEd Region XII Updates ALIVE Manual of Operation

The Arabic Language and Islamic Values Education (ALIVE) Program is now on its 4th year of implementation in Region XII. Every year, DepEd Central Office circulates new orders and memoranda for the different initiatives and programs it implements. The issuance of these memoranda results in possible changes in the previously established systems, processes and procedures to respond better to the need of the Department. To synchronize the ALIVE Manual of Operations with these new policies, DepEd XII held a workshop to update on 13-14 November 2008 in General Santos City.

Participants to this activity were regional and division ALIVE coordinators and selected ALIVE school heads and asatidz with permanent teaching items.

Sharing of Good Practices and Lessons Learned

In the first session, the participants shared good practices and lessons learned in the implementation of the ALIVE Program. Dr. Heria Abpi, Chief of the Elementary Education Division facilitated the processing of inputs.

Among the good practices included: establishment of ALIVE Room to highlight the program in school; inclusion of the preparation of ALIVE classes during the Brigada Eskwela; inclusion of the recognition of outstanding ALIVE pupils in the regular convocation programs; student cards and grading sheets developed for the ALIVE Program; in Moro-dominated communities, character education is incorporated into Islamic Values subject; regular teachers assist ALIVE teachers in the preparation of learning materials; asatidz formulating uniform periodical test for the whole division; and conduct of division quiz bee as a form of program advocacy.

Stakeholders shared their lessons learned: ‘walk-ins’ and those without endorsement from the division offices should not be allowed to take the Arabic qualifying examination; coordinators should be required to assist in identifying examinees during the qualifying examination to minimize misrepresentation among examinees; and to synchronize recruitment and deployment based on availability of LGU support.

Updating

In the second session, Sarida Matug, Region XII ALIVE Coordinator, divided the participants into small groups and each group was tasked to work on the different chapters of the manual.

The groups worked together to update and enhance contents of the ALIVE Manual of Operation. Group 1 worked on the ALIVE task force, ALIVE integration into the School Improvement Plan (SIP) and School Mapping and Needs Analysis. Group 2 worked on Building Parents and Community Support, Selection and Recruitment of ALIVE Teachers and Deployment, Compensation and Sourcing of LGU Support. Group 3 worked on Organizing the ALIVE Classes, Class Scheduling and, Grading System and Carding. Group 4 worked on Selection of Honours, Integration of ALIVE Activities in the School Calendar and, Monitoring and Evaluation of ALIVE Student and Teacher Performance.

Dr. Allan Farnazo, DepEd XII Assistant Regional Director, believes that the ALIVE Program is not just about integrating Moro communities in mainstream education but an opportunity for peace building in the region. With the program in place, it has opened the door to recognition and respect for the indigenous and Moro heritage. He added that “those involved in the ALIVE Program should treat it not just as another initiative but put premium on it because it bridges the cultural gap among our people.” ARD Farnazo believes that the quality of ALIVE and its contribution to society is acting on policies, with a heart. Real and lasting peace may be achieved through the ALIVE classes.

Dr. Hadja Amy U. Malbun, BEAM Expanded Support to Muslim Education (ESME) Quality Assurance Consultant, reminded the participants on the value of data gathering and the need to regularly update information. She shared the ups and downs of program implementation, stressing that it is not about the absence of problems but having the right attitude when faced with problems.