DepEd-Cebu City to hire 305 senior high teachers

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Education-Cebu City Division can now proceed with the hiring of 305 Senior High School (SHS) teachers after the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) responded to the DepEd’s letter request seeking exemption from the ban on hiring and creating new positions in connection with the May 9 elections.

In a letter dated April 21, lawyer Maria Norina Tangaro-Casingal, COMELEC acting director IV, said DepEd need not seek prior authority from the commission for the issuance of the Notice of Organization, Staffing and Compensation (NOSCA) from the regional offices of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

The letter also reads that the DBM had approved the creation and filling up of some 36,150 Senior High School teacher positions on March 18 way ahead of the March 25 ban on creation of new positions.

DepEd in Manila sent the letter to Comelec last April 18.

DepEd Cebu City Schools Division, Superintendent Bianito Dagatan, said after receiving the result, they will officially endorse it to Civil Service Commission after May 9 and proceed with the hiring of senior high school teachers.

He said that enrolment for senior high school has been ongoing so that they can validate the early enrollment data made last February and will serve as the basis in determining the specialization of the teachers to be hired.

“We had it last week until next week but it does not mean we will no longer accept those who cannot make it till next week. As of now there is an ongoing national training of trainers for grade 11 held in university of San Jose Recoletos Basak Campus,” he said.

Dagatan added that applicants should be informed that DepEd Central office has reopened the online application of the voucher system.

The SHS Voucher Program is a financial aid for Grade 10 Junior High School (JHS) completers who wish to continue their Grade 11 and Grade 12 education in private high schools, private or public universities or colleges, and technical-vocational institutions offering SHS.

Through the SHS Voucher Program, students and their families have better options in deciding which senior high school track is most relevant to their needs. —(FREEMAN)