1. Education in general shall protect and promote the right of all citizens to access and quality education at all levels. It shall, among others, promote nationalism. The DECS, particularly the Bureau of Elementary Education (BEE) has taken major steps toward this end through the development of quality standards for elementary education.

2. The BEE together with the regional chiefs and assistant chiefs of elementary education divisions were convened in a 5-day special training on Quality Assurance and Standards Setting at SEAMEO-INNOTECH, Diliman, Quezon City on May 18-22, 1998 to define the education quality standards and indicators. This training workshop is a follow-up of the vision of quality elementary education drawn by the same group in October 1997.

3. The Standards for quality elementary education define what is believed should be achieved to produce quality learners. The standards grow out of a vision shared by the different stakeholders, to ensure that all elementary graduates will develop the skills, knowledge and values they need to succeed in school, in the workplace and in the various domains in life, today and tomorrow.

4. The development of the standards was motivated by the following beliefs:

a. Standards are needed to prepare students to meet the challenges of today and the future;

b. Standards can articulate the shared vision of what the stakeholders expect of our graduates and what we can do to realize this vision; and

c. Standards are needed to bridge the disparities that exist in educational opportunities and ensure that all students become informed citizens and thus participate fully in society.

5. To ensure that the proposed Standards for Quality Elementary Education reflect the vision of the various education stakeholders, this will be validated at the regional and sub-regional levels involving various sectors such as business, industrial, agricultural, religious, community organizations, and students/youth from July to September 1998. Results of said validation will also be revalidated at the national level in October 1998. Hence, validation results at the regional level are expected to be forwarded on or before September 30, 1998 to:

The Director
Bureau of Elementary Education
2/F Bonifacio Building
DECS Complex, Meralco Avenue
Pasig City

6. Planning and conduct of the regional and sub-regional levels validation will be spearheaded by Elementary Education Division of each region. Expenses to be incurred during the validation at the regional and sub-regional level shall be underwritten by the region.

7. Immediate dissemination and compliance of all concerned is desired.

Adopted: 11 June 1998

(SGD.) ERLINDA C. PEFIANCO
Secretary