Lawmaker wants DepEd reverted to DECS

A lawmaker has proposed reverting the Department of Education (DepEd) to its old name of Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS) to reflect the agency's “renewed” and “more comprehensive approach to the total development of the Filipino youth."

 

House Bill 5878 filed by BUHAY party-list Rep. Lito Atienza seeks to amend Republic Act 9155 or the Governance of Basic Education Act 2001, which states that the DECS shall be vested with authority, accountability and responsibility for ensuring access to, promoting equity in, and improving the quality of basic education with an equal focus on Arts, Culture and Sports.

 

It repeals Section 9 of RA 9155 titled “Abolition of the Bureau of Physical Education and School Sports” or BPESS and reestablishes it under the DECS.

 

In the bill's explanatory note, Atienza said the reorganization of DECS into DepEd in 2001 has resulted in a diminished focus on learning Philippine culture and the arts, as well as a dip in sports development in the youth.

 

He noted that the removal of culture and sports development from the DepEd's mandate has also contributed to the current Filipino’s youth estrangement from its cultural dances, traditional music, arts and crafts.

 

“Our artists have also found it difficult to showcase their works now because there is no interest from the biggest segment of the Philippine population – the youth,” Atienza said.

 

“Furthermore, government support for our artists in the form of much-needed funding is almost non-existent. They are able to continue in their craft and in showcasing the Filipino cultural arts through the support of philanthropists,” he added.

 

The lawmaker believes reverting DepEd into DECS will not only help the youth be more aware of ways on how to conserve the country's culture, but will also bring back the days “when schools were the wellsprings of youth athletes and artists.”

 

HB 5878 mandates BPESS to develop the general fitness of elementary and high school students through sports education; promote social and cultural integration through the revival of indigenous games and to identify and nurture sports talents and promote excellence in sports, traditional games and other physical activities.

 

It shall also be the responsibility of the BPESS to ensure that every school will be teaching at least eight kinds of sports to have diversity and to allow young students to find the perfect sports for them.

 

The measure also mandates the BPESS to ensure that all schools shall participate and send their student representatives to district-level sports fests or fun games; conduct workshops for teachers on Sports Education and Sports Science and perform other functions as may be provided by law. —Xianne Arcangel/ALG, GMA News