What is SDO and How Does It Relate to DepEd?
SDO stands for Schools Division Office, which is one of the organizational levels of the Department of Education (DepEd) in the Philippines. DepEd is the government agency that oversees the basic education system in the country, from kindergarten to senior high school.
What does SDO Mean in the Department of Education
According to Republic Act No. 9155, also known as the Governance of Basic Education Act of 2001, DepEd has three levels of governance: the central, regional, and schools division offices. The SDO is the intermediate level between the regional and the school levels, and it is responsible for implementing DepEd's policies, plans, programs, and projects within its jurisdiction.
The SDO is headed by a Schools Division Superintendent (SDS), who is assisted by an Assistant Schools Division Superintendent (ASDS) and other staff. The SDO has two main units: the Curriculum Implementation Division (CID) and the School Governance and Operations Division (SGOD).
The CID is in charge of developing, implementing, and evaluating the curriculum and learning materials for the schools. It also provides technical assistance and professional development to teachers and school heads. The CID is composed of Education Program Supervisors (EPS) and Public Schools District Supervisors (PSDS), who oversee the different learning areas and school districts, respectively.
The SGOD is in charge of providing support services to the schools, such as planning, budgeting, accounting, procurement, human resource, and information and communications technology. It also monitors and evaluates the performance and compliance of the schools. The SGOD is composed of different sections, such as Planning and Research, Budget, Accounting, Cash, Personnel, Records, Property, and ICT.
The SDO plays a vital role in ensuring the quality and efficiency of education delivery in the schools. It serves as a link between the central and regional offices and the schools, and it coordinates with various stakeholders, such as local government units, non-government organizations, and private sector partners. The SDO also promotes the principles of decentralization and shared governance, empowering the schools and learning centers to make decisions based on their needs and contexts.