DepEd chief: 17 top performing art high schools to get P500k subsidy

Seventeen expansion schools offering the special program in the arts (SPA) will each be given P500,000 in additional subsidy to help them be more effective in providing the said program.

 

“This is consistent with our plan to enhance the basic education curriculum so that students who have the inclination toward the arts will have the venue to further develop their self-expression," Education Secretary Armin Luistro said in a news release issued Wednesday.

 

The following schools will receive the subsidy for School Year 2011-2012:

 

·        Dagupan City National High School in Region 1

·        Lallo National High School in Region 2

·        Bataan National High School in Region 3

·        Calamba Bayside National High School in Region 4-A

·        Looc National High School in Region 4-B

·        Marcial Ranola Memorial School in Region 5

·        Oton National High School in Region 6

·        Negros Occidental National High School in Region 6

·        Mandaue National High School in Region 7

·        Baybay National High School in Region 8

·        Zamboanga del Sur National High School in Region 9

·        Gingoog City Comprehensive High School in Region 10

·        Tagum Comprehensive High School and Davao del Norte National High School in Region 11

·        General Santos City National High School in Region 12

·        Agusan del Sur National High School in Caraga

·        San Francisco High School in Metro Manila

 

The Department of Education chose the 17 schools from a field of 75 public high schools that cater to students who favor the arts after showing they were capable of nurturing students in six art disciplines: music, visual arts, theater arts, creative writing, media arts, and dance.

 

“These schools were selected based on their performance in terms of sustainable enrollment across art areas and year levels, as well as awards/recognition received from their participation in local, national, and international competitions," DepEd said.

 

P500k subsidy

 

The DepEd gave a breakdown of how the schools should use their P500,000 subsidy.

 

A big portion, 40 percent, will fund the procurement of arts and music supplies, costumes, and instructional materials in different art areas.

 

Twenty percent will go to the training of teachers and administrators on relevant topics in the arts.

 

The next 20 percent will be earmarked for student activities such as training, workshops, and participation in DepEd-approved arts festivals and competitions.

 

The last 20 percent is to be used for the development of teachers, particularly their participation in DepEd-sponsored scholarships, and professional upgrading including enrollment in a master’s degree program.

 

The schools receiving the subsidy will be tasked to conduct a yearly mentoring and training program to other schools within the division/region that intend to implement the SPA.

 

The schools will also be required to participate in national and international events and competitions.

 

Student-beneficiaries, on the other hand, must attain a mean percentage score above the national average in the National Achievement Test.

 

“We enjoin the full compliance of schools in these guidelines to avoid suspension of the subsidy," Luistro said.

 

DepEd also said the additional maintenance and other operating expenses budget is in DepEd Order 92. — KG/RSJ, GMA News