DepEd to hold 2011 National Literacy Conference late September

The Department of Education, in support of the United Nations Literacy Decade, will hold this month the 2011 National Literacy Conference, aimed at creating public awareness on the role of literacy in attaining a peaceful and sustainable future.

Education Secretary Armin Luistro said the conference’s participants will include peace and education workers from the government and private sector. It will also become a venue for sharing good practices on peace literacy and good governance being implemented by various groups across the country.

The conference will be held from September 27 to 29, 2011 at the Imperial Palace Suites in Quezon City.

The Philippines scored a win in the 2011 UNESCO International Literacy Prizes when Tagum City was awarded for its exemplary accomplishment in achieving a thriving business community as a result of its peace education campaign. One of the highlights of the conference is the presentation of the National Literacy Hall of Fame Award to Tagum City for being a three-time first place winner in the Outstanding Local Government Unit category in the National Literacy Awards.

Expected to attend the two-day seminar are bureau, center, and regional directors or their representatives, schools/city divisions, superintendents, and assistant superintendents of the Alternative Learning System (ALS) and formal education.

Also attending are ALS coordinators and mobile teachers especially those belonging to 5th and 6th class municipalities, as well as officers of government agencies with extension programs involving literacy or continuing education. The invitation is also extended to heads and members of nongovernment organizations and civil society groups involved in universalizing literacy in the regions; and to heads of local government units, barangay chairpersons, kagawad members, and barangay health workers who also work for literacy.

One of the outputs expected from the participants is a peace and literacy action agenda that includes programs, projects, and activities for community development.

Interested parties may call the Literacy Coordinating Council at telephone numbers (02) 631-0579, 631-0567, and 635-9996.