DepEd launches ‘K-PO’ that strengthens Albayano values

By Connie Calipay

LEGAZPI CITY --- The Department of Education (DepEd) Albay Division, together with the provincial government of Albay, launched on Monday the “K-PO” project that aims to reiterate and strengthen students’ good values learned in the classrooms and apply them in their daily lives.

Bebiano Sentillas, Albay Schools Division Superintendent, in his message said with the “K-PO” project underscores Dr. Jose Rizal’s belief that the youth is the hope of the fatherland and that such spirit is still present, alive and lingers in the heart of the Albayano. “In the K to 12 journey, we serve our kindergarten pupils and produce graduates in grade 12; we do not just teach them the knowledge and skills but more importantly instill in them the values that we need to see. “ Sentillas added.

Santillas explained the project will assist teachers towards employing more creative and integrative way of teaching values.

DepEd Albay has come up with the “K-PO” project because of the alarming realities from news, personal observations and honest feedbacks from stakeholders that the learners today are occupied with the social media like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram such that there is the need to reinforce the teaching of values to ultimately establish the link between content and practice, he said.

Each school in the division will be known as a “Character School,” owing to its strong emphasis on values.

The office of the school head is expected to feature the DepEd core values--- Maka Diyos, Makatao, Makakalikasan, Makabansa in any creative way. Class sections can also be named after values preferably in Filipino.

To create awareness among school on value focus for the month, a short program will be conducted after the flag ceremony. For every month, a color-coded value banner will be hung in a conspicuous area within the campus.

Each school or class is also encouraged to have a “Tree of Goodness,” where students or even personnel can hang a symbol, card, item or note of the good thing they have done during the year. Schools shall also put up a bulletin board showing snapshots that capture good deeds.

As part of the advocacy program, character icon “Yhanokz and Mayhana” were introduced to represent positive values among the youth. Yhanokz is a millennial nickname from “Albayano” who is young, bagets and oragon” but with good heart.

While Mayhana, comes from the combined name “Maria Albayana” who represents the image of a young and simple Albayana.

Yhanokz and Mayhana represent the DepEd Albay mantra to serve, excel, care and connect.

Evry month, Yhanokz and Mayhana will visit a particular municipality, where they will have a short encounter with the learners from elementary to secondary grades and give surprise award to learners who had been spotted to demonstrating Mayhanokz qualities.

“We want to expand the curriculum in the Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao. We do not end, stop teaching values inside the schools, we want it applied in home, in community, saan man pumunta ang ating mga mag-aaral na Albayano andon ang paghuhubog sa kanila ng values education,” the superintendent stressed.

Meanwhile, Albay Gov. Al Francis Bichara, in an interview said the project is very timely as the youth of today need to be reintroduced to good values, especially in the community.

“This is all about the good manners and right conduct that every learner should never forget,” he said.