What's a good read?
The Korean International Coordinating Agency (KOICA) delivered ten (10) boxes of children’s books to the Department of Education – International Cooperation Office (DepEd-ICO) on Tuesday, May 4, 2021.
The KOICA Team, which included Volunteer Program Coordinator Ms. Baek Jiyeon, Volunteer Program Manager Ms. Sheena Balinsoy, and Mr. Ronnie Runtal, a staff member, completed the donation of 1000 children’s books to select Region IV-A, CALABARZON Last Mile schools.
Margarita Consolacion C. Ballesteros, Director of the DepEd ICO, formally accepted the donation during a ceremonial turnover.
Before being delivered to CALABARZON Last Mile Schools, samples of the books will be reviewed by the Office of the Undersecretary for Curriculum and Instruction’s Bureau of Curriculum Development (BCD) and Bureau of Learning Resources (BLR) to ensure that they are consistent with DepEd issued learning materials.
Last Mile Schools
Within Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA), Last Mile Schools, as defined by DepEd Memo No. 059, series 2019, have fewer than four (4) classrooms, non-standard rooms, a lack of electricity, no funds for repairs in the last four (4) years, a travel distance of more than an hour from the town center, multigrade classes, and fewer than five (5) students.
DepEd is currently exploring potential areas of collaboration with KOICA through ICO, which may eventually lead to drafting a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to maximize the benefits of the partnership for primary education stakeholders.
In 1991, KOICA (Korean International Cooperation Agency) was established by The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of South Korea. It is a governmental organization for Official Development Assistance (ODA). This move was made to improve South Korea‘s grant aid programs for developing countries. Its goal is to implement the government’s grant aid and technical cooperation programs.
Under its establishment under DepEd Order No. 19, series 2010, ICO was designated as the specific office within the Department tasked with overseeing the Department’s international concerns and serving as a clearinghouse for all international transactions. (DepEd)