Brief History of the Schools Division Office of Davao del Sur
More often than not, we celebrate the cause and not the date. We savor the essence and not the event. We rejoice on purpose and not on establishment. Nevertheless, it is mirthful should someone knows how did it all start.
Where did the Division of Davao del Sur originate and how did it come to be?
Year 1967, Division of Davao del Sur first started to operate. Its first Division office was in the Gabaldon Building of Ramon Magsaysay Central Elementary School, Digos City. Digos City then was once part of Division of Davao del Sur. Through the support and effort of the late Governor Ramon Delos Cientos and late Congressman Alejandro Almendras Sr., the creation of Division of Davao del Sur was realized. The first Schools Division Superintendent of Davao del Sur is Miniato Cuevas. He strived to assist the schools of the province with the help of Legal Officer Hilario Mapayo and Administrative Officer Alfred Lisundra. This was despite most of the personnel of the Division, that time, were detailed employees from Provincial Capitol.
Next to SDS Miniato Cuevas was SDS Alfreda O. Alcantara. It was during her time that the idea of constructing a new building as Division Office of Davao del Sur came to pass. The construction of a two-story Division of Davao del Sur Office building started during the time of SDS Benjamen Miano. Beefed with support from the provincial government headed by late Gov. Nonito Llanos Sr., the Division made use of the slabs, available construction materials and construction budget from the district engineering office to put up its new Division Office building. Finally, the Division Office of Davao del Sur was completed during the time of SDS Nooh Indin.
Basic Functions of the Office of the Schools Division Superintendent
As frontline office of the Department for the management of basic education delivery, the Office of the Schools Division Superintendent (OSDS) provides instructional leadership to schools and learning centers which are the direct implementers of educational programs for learner development. This is carried out through a strategic education plan in consideration of the needs and concerns of the division, districts, schools and learning centers and aligned with the regional education development plans as well as community, city and provincial development plan.
Specifically, the OSDS manages the implementation of the localized curriculum in the schools; supervises, monitors, and quality assures the implementation processes for programs and projects following national and regional standards and guidelines; and provides relevant support systems for instructional, human, and physical resource development. It extends technical assistance to schools and learning centers to implement school-based management as its development strategy.
It is responsible and accountable for the effective and efficient management and equitable distribution of services and resources to its schools and learning centers. By working with the local government units and other education stakeholders, the Division Office builds vibrant communities of districts, schools and learning centers.
Moreover, the OSDS ensures the promotion of equity in access and continuously improves the quality of basic education in the schools division through leading in the development and implementation of the Division Education Development.
Plans (DEDP) consistent with the national and regional educational policies, plans and standards, building partnerships and networking with stakeholders of education, and effectively and efficiently managing the financial, human, and physical resources of the schools division.
Functions of the Offices under the Office of the Schools Division Superintendent
Office of the Schools Division Superintendent
The Schools Division Superintendent (SDS) is an educational leader of the schools division under his/her care and the manager of the division office. His/her main responsibility is to account for learning outcomes in the schools division vis-à-vis goals and targets for basic education (formal and non-formal) and to ensure efficient and effective deployment and utilization of resources. He/she is accountable for the following key result areas: development of basic education policies and plans, management and implementation of the Basic Education Curriculum, oversight and supervision of Schools and LCs, management of the resources of the division – financial, human and physical and building partnerships and network among educational stakeholders.
The SDS shall not only have the Assistant Schools Division Superintendent (ASDS) to provide direct support in managing the Schools Division but should have a Legal and ICT unit, and an Information Technology Officer to provide the SDS, as the leader and decision maker the critical information and legal advice to make appropriate, timely, and cost-effective decisions. This is in line with principles in open systems thinking wherein information from the environment must be made accessible and thus brought nearest to the user of the information.
Office of the Assistant Schools Division Superintendent (ASDS)
the Assistant Schools Division Superintendent assists the Schools Division Superintendent in the management of the division. He/she may be assigned by the SDS specific areas of responsibility and be delegated the necessary authority to perform certain tasks.
Legal Unit
shall provide legal advice, interpretation and representation to the SDS in managing the Schools Division. This unit shall be in medium, large and very large divisions. In the small provincial or city Schools Division, legal services can be provided by the Regional Legal Unit, another Schools Division or (this can be outsourced. The establishment of a Legal Unit shall improve the process of handling or resolving the legal concerns/cases involving teaching and nonteaching personnel and the Schools Division.
ICT Unit
an Information and Communication Technology Unit attached to the Office of the SDS shall provide management with quick and direct access to knowledge-based technology to support better decision making and management of the schools division.
Financial Section
is responsible for providing the Division with staff advice and assistance on budgetary, financial, and management improvement matters. This section shall provide the department with pre-audit, bookkeeping and audit services to ensure proper utilization of fund allocations in accordance with existing COA rules and regulations. This includes monitoring the utilization of funds transferred to Regional and Division offices and non-government organizations for education-related programs and projects. Thus, the Finance section shall continue to provide technical assistance and supervision to the field offices relevant to the allocation, utilization and accounting of the funds of the department.
Budget Section
shall continue to be the office responsible for the implementation of the four (4) phases of the budget process: 1) budget preparation; 2) budget legislation and authorization; 3) budget execution; and 4) budget accountability and reporting. The Section shall regularly coordinate with the Planning Unit for the efficient implementation of the budget process.
Payroll Unit
primarily focus on managing and implementing the automatic payroll deduction system and the loaning operations of the Provident Fund. This includes setting the guidelines for loaning operations and automated payroll deductions system, accreditation and performance review of private lending institutions, and monitoring of implementation in the field offices. This unit shall also manage other loan sources to be utilized by DepEd for its employees in the future.
General Administrative Services Section
is responsible for providing the Office with economical and efficient delivery of various support services on the following areas: a) motor pool b) housekeeping c) engineering d) medical e) dental f) library and g) security. It shall take the lead in developing and implementing policies, guidelines, plans and programs related to the operationalization of the support services in line with the existing government rules and regulations pertaining to the Building Code of the Philippines, Clean Air Act, Waste Management, Clean and Green Program, Occupational Safety and Health, rules on the proper use of government vehicles, among others. The Administrative Section is composed of four offices namely Personnel, Cash, Property and Records.
Cash Unit
shall be responsible for the management and accounting of disbursements, cash receipts, deposits, cash advances and checks of the funds of the department. It shall continue to render accountability reports for all receipts and financial transactions under its custody and responsibility.
Supply Unit
takes charge of the procurement, distribution, recording, reporting, inventory of supplies, materials and equipment, and for the disposal of unserviceable property. It shall also include the fixed or land assets. This office shall consolidate the inventory of all DepEd assets.
Records Unit
shall implement a records management program in the creation, maintenance, use and disposition of records and files. It shall be responsible for receiving and releasing mail, distributing official communication with prompt dispatch to the field and other concerned offices.
Personnel Unit
focuses on the implementation of personnel actions for all employees. Specifically, this office develops and administers a personnel program that includes selection, appointments, transfers, details/reassignments, reinstatements, and any other movement of personnel; leaves such as vacation, sick, maternity, terminal and study; separation from the service; salaries; and certificates of employment and service records. This includes the maintenance and updating of the plantilla of personnel, 201 files, service cards and leave cards of all DepED personnel. This division also implements Human Resource Management (HRM) systems such as Merit Selection Plan (MSP), and Qualification Standards (QS).
