BETWEEN garbage and books, children from poor families would rather scavenge than read; the former, for survival, the latter a pastime they can hardly afford, and may not have the time at all.

The Department of Education has directed its officials and personnel not to enroll in higher education institutions (HEIs) offering masteral and doctoral degree programs which are not recognized by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). 

The directive was contained in DepEd Order No. 78 s. 2011 which orders that DepEd officials and personnel must refrain from enrolling in non-accredited colleges and universities offering higher education programs which are similarly not authorized. 

Education Secretary Armin Luistro has echoed the national call to support the campaign to recognize the Puerto Princesa Underground River one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature.

 Luistro has issued Memorandum No. 138, series 2011, to call on the entire department to work towards awareness, appreciation, preservation and promotion of our own Puerto Princesa Underground River to be included in the New Seven Wonders of Nature (N7WN) through various activities and other initiatives

 “As a nation, what we lack in material wealth, we compensate with the richness of our natural resources, hence, we should take advantage of this by putting our country on top of the world,” said Luistro.

 The Department of Education  has called on the public especially parents to use as guide  the existing policies on suspension of classes  during bad weather condition to keep children out of harm.  

 Based on DepEd Order No. 28, series of 2005, classes in all public and private elementary and secondary schools are automatically suspended or cancelled without having to wait for announcement under the following circumstances: