by: Rowena F. Espera
SDO Tacloban City is among the division offices in Region 8 that has an active number of researches that has been approved for Basic Education Research Fund by the regional office since the implementation of DepEd Order 43, s. 2015 – Revised Guidelines for the BERF.
With the number of researchers continuing to grow for the schools division office, the trend has also been attributed to the publication of a book devoted to research, the Research Manual, printed in 2018 through the Dr. Nilo Eder. This is anchored on DepEd Order No. 16, series of 2017-“Research Management Guidelines, which makes SDO Tacloban as one of the division offices in DepEd that has an existing publication.
While its publication has seen a number of researches crafted and published by different SDO Tacloban City personnel since 2018, the need to revise or update the manual was deemed necessary by the Office of the Planning and Research Unit headed by Senior Education Program Specialist Mr. Jade Calleja.
According to Mr. Calleja, several provisions needed to be amended in the research management guidelines as the SDO Tacloban City team of editors and research experts incorporates the latest research issuance, RM 603, S. 2023 – Adoption of the 2023 Basic Education Regional Research Agenda.
With this activity, the new research manual now highlights five (5) additional chapters and appendices that shall enhance the research skills observed missing in the previous research activities conducted.
Moreover, the new chapters supply needed preparations and implementation guidelines that shall assist researchers in completing their studies, including relevant appendices on ethical procedures in the entire research process.
School Governance and Operation Division Chief Dr. Melani Escobarte was present in the activity and showed her support to Mr. Calleja and the team.
She said that the revised Research Manual is designed to help researchers navigate the complexities of research, that will provide a detailed guidance on everything from research designs to analyses.
“This is truly attributable to the unwavering and very evident efforts of the planning and research section with the members of Division Research Team,” Dr. Escobarte said.
She also encouraged those who are struggling in conducting research to upskill and eventually produce quality studies.
The 3-day activity was organized by Division Research Coordinator Mr. Jade B. Calleja with the Division Research Team/Writers: Ms. Rowena Ganton (San Jose National HS), Ms. Arlene Gillo (Northern Tacloban City NHS), Mr. Galicano Jay Fabi (Leyte National HS), Mr. Lemuel Leonil Paculan (San Jose National HS), Mr. Ryan Joseph Salaňo (Leyte National HS), Mr. Noah Justine Sayson (Tacloban City National HS), Mr. Danilo Macapugas (Leyte National HS), Ms. Rowena Espera (Fisherman’s Village ES), Mr. Roy Maldecino (Sto. Niňo ES), Mr. Mark Paolo Alburo (Northern Tacloban City National HS), Mr. Emmanuel Firmo, Jr. (Tacloban National Agricultural School), Mr. Romeo Bulilis (V & G National HS), and Ms. Lorena Capacio (Tacloban National Agricultural School).
“This has been a challenging task, yet a rewarding one. We are certain that this new research manual will provide the necessary tools and guidance for teachers, educational leaders, and students to conduct research with confidence and meets the highest standards of quality and rigor,” an energized Mr. Calleja quipped.
Activities are already lined up this December 2023 which include the Research Partnership Forum on December 4, the launching of SDO Tacloban’s Research Website, and the Division Basic Education Research Conference on December 5-7.
The Department of Education, in its continuing initiative towards strengthening evidence-based policy development and decision making, continues to provide fund eligible proponents from the Schools’ Division Offices and to the public elementary and secondary schools nationwide. These funds annually come from General Appropriation Act-Basic Education Research Fund (GAA-BERF).