DepEd Region XII strengthens their HRD through INNOTECH course

“HRD (Human Resource Development) is difficult…but it is one of the most exciting as it is about developing people,” said Dr. Sharon Chao, Manager of SEAMEO INNOTECH’s Learning Management Office, as she concludes the blended learning course for the HRD staff of the Department of Education (DepEd) Region XII held 20-22 June 2017.

The blended learning course for the HRD staff of the region aims to provide a deeper understanding on their new roles and responsibilities brought by the new DepEd structure. The Division Senior Education Program Specialists (SEPS) are usually the one tapped to provide technical support and advice for the teachers and non-teaching staff. With the new structure, they are expected to transcend their roles from being focused on a particular learning area to becoming more strategic and facilitative. Through this blended learning course, the SEPS will be able to develop their technical skills as well as their interpersonal skills.

“HR was not that much given attention, but now we realize its importance,” said Ms. Mariza Bernaldez, one of the participants of the course.

Through the course, the participants were introduced to the context of Human Development in the country and in Southeast Asia, as well as to a human-centered approach that would make them understand their beneficiaries better. Training and development system frameworks and competency frameworks were also discussed during the course. These theories were appreciated as participants saw different practices through the various case studies discussed, including SEAMEO INNOTECH’s own human resource development strategies. As an output, the participants were asked to work on their respective strategic HRD plans.

This 3-day face-to-face course is the 2nd phase of this blended learning program. The first phase is an online preliminary meeting where participants were oriented on their requirements for the course. Phase 3, which happened 6 July 2017, is also an online session where they will discuss the planned implementation for their identified programs under the strategic HRD plans they have developed in the face-to-face session.