THE Department of Education-International Cooperation Office (DepEd-ICO) received 10 boxes of children’s books from the Korean International Coordinating Agency (KOICA) on May 4.
The KOICA team completed the donation of 1,000 pieces of books for identified “last-mile” schools in Calabarzon region. DepEd-ICO Director Margarita Consolacion C. Ballesteros formally received the items in a ceremonial turnover.
Last-mile schools, under DepEd Memo No. 059, S. 2019, are those located in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas, or GIDA. They have less than four classrooms considered as non-standard, no electricity and funds for repairs within the last four years, travel distance of more than an hour from the town center, hold multigrade classes with less than five teachers, and less than 100 learners, with more than 75 percent of them from indigenous peoples.
Before their delivery, samples of the books will be reviewed by the Bureau of Curriculum Development and Bureau of Learning Resources of the Office of the Undersecretary for Curriculum and Instruction to ensure the books are consistent with DepEd-issued learning materials.
DepEd, through ICO, is currently exploring areas of possible collaboration with KOICA, which may eventually lead to the drafting of a memorandum of understanding to maximize the benefits of the partnership for basic education stakeholders.
By its creation under DepEd Order No. 19, S. 2010, ICO was mandated as the specific office within the department to oversee its international concerns, and serves as a clearinghouse for all its international transactions.