Regional Director
Education liberates anyone from pointless direction as it is life in itself. It likewise steers students to a more meaningful and fulfilled life. I am inclined to believe with these statements in the perspective of a lifelong learner as one emerges a victor from childhood to old age while taking an active role in the honing of one’s personal knowledge, skills, attitudes and values.
As we come to the final touch of the school year, moments are ours to thank and enjoy especially the moving up ceremonies for Kindergarten and Grade 10 and the graduation for Grade 6 learners respectively. Initially, I wish to express my heartiest congratulations to the 2016-2017 batch of graduates and completers. Particularly, I wish to congratulate the more than 280,000 Davao Region learners from both public and private of which we have a total of 79,307 public and 9,204 private Kindergarten completers; 112,550 public and 7,689 private Grade 6 graduates; 58,945 public and 13,758 private Grade 10 completers; and 215 Grade 12 graduates from the early Senior High School program implementers.
The theme of this year’s celebration “Sabay-sabay na Hakbang Tungo sa Maunlad na Kinabukasan,” speaks volumes about collaboration and unity among our stakeholders who share in the realization of the vision, mission and goals of the Department of Education. Such genuine partnership is powerful as everyone gets to know one’s own strengths and limitations and is able to pool accomplishments and victories.
In reality, completing a year in school can be attributed to many like the teachers, school officials, parents and community folks. However, what is more compelling than the stakeholders’ support and other enabling mechanisms embedded in the learning environment is achieving success through one’s hard work, determination, motivation, dedication and willingness to go beyond boundaries of academic knowledge.
Remarkably, we thank the teachers, school heads and parents for the lessons of transformation. The mentorship that the learners enjoyed from you is truly revelatory of your passion and sacrifices which serves as shining example for the learners.
To the learners who have to move up to the next level, be reminded that the real answers to the world challenges are yet to unfold as you step on the many key stages of learning from which you have to anchor on your dreams and plans. While it is true that to be knowledgeable is always advantageous, it is also worthwhile to focus into the factors that you can make a difference.
Again, congratulations to the graduates and completers for this immense success. I wish you all the best and may your grounding in schools help you reach your potential and inspire others.
ATTY. ALBERTO T. ESCOBARTE, CESO III
Regional Director
