“We recognize that sports are still an integral part of the daily life of our learners hence, the Department wants to make sure that our teacher-coaches are equipped with necessary sports skills in teaching our learners,” Education Secretary Leonor Briones said.

The virtual training aims to provide the teacher-coaches and Physical Education teachers with basic and appropriate knowledge and competencies in demonstrating the different sports skills sets based on the performance indicators provided in the DepEd Sports Manual.

As stipulated in the memorandum issued by the Department, through the Office of the Undersecretary for Administration, the target participants must have completed the developmental, intermediate, and advanced levels of the National Training in Sports Coaching conducted by DepEd’s School Sports Division.

Furthermore, the identified teacher-coaches must have experience in coaching at the regional sports meet and the Palarong Pambansa, and are required to be physically fit as well.

“This activity is one of OUA’s support in the promotion of the DepEd programs on school sports, particularly in the implementation of sports clubs in the public school system,” Undersecretary for Administration Alain Pascua explained.

The National Virtual Training on Sports will feature discussions and lectures on different sports that includes Arnis (October 6 and 7); Basketball (October 11 and 12); Badminton (October 13 and 14); Dance Sports (October 18 and 19); and Futsal (October 20 and 21).

As per Department guidelines, only two participants per schools division (preferably one male and one female) from the 17 regional offices will be accommodated for smoother and effective implementation of the program.

To realize the full implementation of its after-school sports program, the DepEd vowed to download financial assistance to the regional offices to cover the expenses of the localized virtual training on sports to amplify the message of the national virtual training.

“We are continuously crafting and creating policies to help our learners amid the pandemic. We recognize the important role of sports in making sure that learners remain physically and mentally fit,” Briones said.