Cebu City has new schools division chief

CEBU, Philippines - With barely five months to the 2010 elections, the Department of Education implemented a minor revamp of its officials in Cebu City and Bohol.

Cebu City has a new division schools superintendent in the person of Dr. Rhea Mar Angtud following the transfer of Superintendent Lorna Rances to Bohol. Rances herself requested the transfer to her home province following the retirement of the schools division superintendent there.

Angtud is the former schools division superintendent of Toledo City. Education consultant Joy Augustus Young said he was among those who recommended for Angtud to head the Cebu City schools division.

Young clarified that Rances’ transfer is not in any way related to the upcoming elections. He said the former schools division chief handled her post efficiently.

“Maayo kaayo kadto si Dr. Rances pero mihangyo man nga magpabalhin sa Bohol kay taga didto man siya aron dili na kuno hasol pagpauli-pauli,” Young said.

Rances assumed her post in Bohol starting last week.

Meanwhile, Councilor Edgardo Labella challenged Angtud and DepEd Regional Director Ricaredo Borgonia to raise the literacy level of primary students in public schools in the city.

This after results of the recent National Achievement Test, which is being administered yearly among graduating students, showed that students in primary schools in the city got low scores.

Results of the recent NAT released by the DepEd showed that only 14 percent of grade school students and 1.1 percent of high school students from public schools in the city have reached the academic mastery level expected of graduating students.

The NAT report recommended that schools give more emphasis on whole language reading and basic text comprehension. The exam results reportedly concluded that many students have reading problems or poor reading comprehension.

Labella then urged Angtud and Borgonia to “revitalize” and “invigorate” the present available reading materials in the city’s public schools by implementing programs through partnerships with other government agencies and the private sector.

“Even under the Internet-era, a library full of books is still the best starting point, especially for primary students in public schools to learn the art and science of reading,” Labella said. — Rene U. Borromeo/JMO     (FREEMAN NEWS)