SDO BENGUET BEST PRACTICES SINCE 2016

IYAMAN

The institutionalized practice of SDO Benguet in gathering its stakeholders in each district to present its yearly accomplishments and seek their continuous support under the principle of shared accountability and responsibility was awarded as the Most Exemplar Practice in the Cordillera during the Regional Awarding Ceremonies at the DepEd-CAR gym on November 29, 2019.

Dubbed as IYAMAN or Informing Yearly Accomplishments, Monitoring Assessments and Networking activities, the practice was awarded as the most promising practice in 2017 and the Most Validating Practice in 2018.

Rizalyn A. Guznian, Chief of the Curriculum Implementation Division (CID) of SDO Benguet who led the conceptualization of the practice in 2016, said that the IYAMAN gathering was based on the culture of gratitude of the Benguet people whose sense of community lead them to collaboratively celebrate good harvest and other blessings.

ENHANCED IYAMAN

Finding the Benguet culture of gratitude locally termed iyaman as a mark of integrity, the Schools Division of Benguet elevated this since December 2019 as the cornerstone of leadership and governance.

Originally called Informing Yearly Accomplishments, Monitoring Assessments and Networking (IYAMAN) which was institutionalized since 2016 as a yearly gathering in each district to celebrate success and strengthen accountability among stakeholders, IYAMAN is now coined as Integrity Yields Accomplishments, Modifies Advancement, and Nurtures excellence.

Founded on the Benguet culture of gratitude and thanksgiving, IYAMAN was transformed as the banner program of the division which embraces the following sub-programs:

- Innovation and contextualization or enrichment of the curriculum

- Youth formation in reading, numeracy, research, robotics, sports, child protection and health and nutrition

- Active engagement of administrators and stakeholders in School-Based Management (SBM)

- Mobilization and networking with local, national and international partners

- Advancement in human resource development, ICT, gender and development, DRRM and administrative processes

- Nurturance of excellence through appropriate awards and recognition

Project BINDIYAN

To help address the reported existence of non-readers in the primary grades amid the implementation of distance learning, the Schools Division of Benguet through the Curriculum Implementation Division (CID) launched in April this year a crucial reading intervention program dubbed as Project BINDIYAN (Batang I-Benguet Nakababasa, Diwang Isinatitik at Yamang-Angkin Naisasabuhay).

The intervention project came as a total of 1561 grade 1 learners from the 14 districts were reported as struggling readers while there are also 755 learners in the other grade levels who could not properly read as of April 23.

Considered as the contextualized equivalent of DepEd-CAR’s Read to Lead program, Project BINDIYAN aimed to massively utilize video-based lessons in Beginning Reading in Kankanaey, Ibaloy, Kalanguya and Karao which were produced by the division since the onset of the pandemic last year.

ALS PREPARE

The Alternative Learning System (ALS) in Benguet since 2016 has sustained its best practice called ALS PREPARE or Pre and Post Assessment Readiness Endeavor involving the institutionalized conduct of pre and post mock test in preparation for the annual Accreditation and Equivalency (A & E) test of learners.

ALS PREPARE enabled facilitators to assess learners’ understanding, knowledge, and mastery of the ALS competencies and eventually providing them with the necessary interventions before the actual A & E test.

SERVICE EXCELLENCE FOR DEPED OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES (SEDOE)/ SPOT AWARDS

These awards referred to as Staff Appreciation and Recognition given to nay permanent or job order employees to recognize special contributions, as they occur, for certain project or task. SEDOE Spot Awards are awarded the soonest after the accomplishment or event in order to provide immediate recognition.

PRODUCTION OF LOCALIZED IEC MATERIALS/ EPISODES

· Siged ja Abong (Virtual Kamustahan iti Learners, Parentis ken Personnel iti SDO-Benguet)

This is a 10-15-minute Virtual Mini Talk Show through Pre-recorded interviews from experts, advocates, and fellows of Mental Health. It aims to provide practical information and helpful tips on strengthening wellbeing, resiliency, and mental health in light of COVID-19 Pandemic of parents and caregivers. “Siged ja Abong” is an Ibaloi term which means “Caring Home”. It depicts a family who supports and loves one another amidst COVID-19 global crisis. Thus, turning each Ibenguet house into a home of individuals who are mentally strong and resilient members of the community.

· Project Sagana

This is 10-15-minute animated videos on Mental Health in 3 local dialects (Ilokano, Kankanaey, and Ibaloi). It aims to provide practical information and helpful tips on wellbeing, resiliency and mental health of IBenguet learners in light of COVID-19 Pandemic. Sagana is an Ibaloi/Kankanaey/Ilokano term which means being alert and ready. It reflects the Benguet community’s resiliency, endurance and perseverance amidst crisis. A true Ibenguet Learner is strong, steadfast and mentally healthy in facing adversities and challenges in life.

· "Dagiti Saludsod Ni Ambit"

This is a 13-minute contextualized mini-drama in Iloko language. The mini-drama portrays the frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding COVID-19 and a brief presentation of the new education modalities. The video was shared through the official social media accounts of SDO Benguet via Facebook and YouTube channel.

· Project KALMA

KALMA stands for K-Kanayun agusar iti face mask, A-Agusar iti sabon nu agbuggo. Agusar iti alcohol nu awan danum., L-Limitahan iti panagwar iti balay, karkaru iti ubbing, M-Maysa metro a distansya, nu adda daduma a kakadwa and A-Agtultuloy iti panagadal, uray uneg iti balay. This is an initiative of SGOD-DRRM to promote and advocate observance of minimum health protocols and resiliency of I-Benguet Learners.

APUNAN

SDO Benguet Repository of Contextualized and Downloaded Learning Resources. It is the Abundant Place of Universal Needs-based and MELC-based Accessible Notes and teaching aids for distance and flexible learning.

SINTIL Soni

Sintil is an Ibaloy term which means care or intendance. Sintil; however, goes beyond mere caring. Sintil is done with love, respect, and often times sacrificial. As a practice of the Schools Division of Benguet, SINTIL is an acronym which means Serving Immeasurably to Nurture the Ibenguet Learners. The CID-LRMS in coordination with ICT endeavors to serve the Ibenguet learners by providing the necessary learning materials and programs to every Benguet learner. .Activity includes Book Carousel, Search for the Most Functional Library and School Learning Resource Center, and Search for the Most Functional Reading Corner.

DIVISION CAREER GUIDANCE ADVOCACY PROGRAM (CGP)

This is an annual Launching of the Programs, Projects, and Activities of CGP in schools initiated by the SGOD- Youth Formation in schools. This activity aims to guide Junior and Senior High School students in making informed decisions regarding their choice of SHS Tracks and Curriculum Exits suitable to their capacities, skills and interests, present updated and relevant information on emerging career trends and skills in the workplace and provide appropriate activities and advocacies in promoting the importance of career guidance

SINTEG (Sustaining Integrity and Nurturing Transformation towards Effective Governance)

Sinteg is an Ibaloy word meaning “Light the Fire”. This word embodies the relevance of conducting research conferences in the Schools Division of Benguet which involves both i-Benguet learners and i-Benguet teachers. Igniting the fire within and keeping it burning induces excitement, widens opportunities, engages ideas, empowers curiosity, and continues to challenge creative minds that sustains integrity and nurtures transformation towards effective governance in the continuous building of the culture of research in the Division.