By Dominic B. dela Cruz
Staff reporter
Laoag City—The city schools’ division here has new superintendent following the retirement of Dr. Cecilia P. Aribuabo on March 3, 2016. Though still in an acting capacity, Joel Lopez assumed the post vacated by Dr. Aribuabo on March 4, 2016.
Mr. Lopez was a former assistant superintendent of the Ilocos Norte division office. He said his permanent appointment to the position is dependent on the approval of both the Department of Education central office and Malacañang.
Senior high school preparation
As the new school year beckons, Mr. Lopez said they are currently finalizing all equipment that are needed for the senior high school. He disclosed that it would be the regional office which will purchase them.
Buildings and classrooms, meanwhile, are being constructed and repaired for the next school year.
As for teachers, Mr. Lopez said the Laoag division was given 64 teacher items for the senior high school implementation. They are still studying the hiring procedures and guidelines.
He also said the division will offer the following specializations for senior high school: accounting, business and management, science and technology; arts and designs, and sports and other tracks.
He however stressed that some schools could offer only tracks depending on the needed specialization in the area.
He also mentioned that they will also allow enrollees from private school provided they finished their junior high school course.
All Grade 10 graduates of Laoag are allowed to enroll for the senior high schools. He said they will not limit the number of enrollees.
He also announced that secondary schools in Laoag were granted permits to offer senior high school.
He also revealed that those who failed to continue their college education can also enroll in the senior high school program. Should they enroll, they would get a national certification (NC) II needed to apply for jobs both here and abroad.
Graduation set March 29-April 1
MR. Lopez also said that the graduation rites for the Laoag division’s elementary schools is scheduled from March 29 to April 1.
Grade 10 students meanwhile will have a “Moving Up Ceremony.” The said ceremony will feature the giving of certificates for the completion of junior high school.
He however clarified that the “Moving Up” ceremony will still depend on school officials in coordination with students and parents. He said DepEd is only concerned with the distribution of certificates to Grade 10 students.
As in earlier years, Mr. Lopez underscored that no collection or contribution will be allowed.
He said that school expenses for the graduation ceremonies should come from the school’s maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE).
As for the dress code, he said it would be the students’ parents’ decision.
May elections
Mr. Lopez also mentioned that majority of the DepEd teachers in Laoag will be serving for the coming May elections.
He said they are already set to undergo a series of seminars for the coming election, especially on the use of the new machine for the elections.