13/02/2020
PRESS RELEASE
Synchronized SSG and SPG Elections Set on Friday; DepEd to Pilot Automated Election System
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PASIG CITY, February 13, 2020 – The Department of Education is set to conduct the Synchronized Supreme Student Government (SSG) and Supreme Pupil Government (SPG) Elections on Friday, February 14, 2020 nationwide.
At the same time, DepEd will also conduct a pilot implementation of the Automated Election System to streamline the voting and canvassing process of SSG and SPG.
In a Memorandum issued by Undersecretary Alain Del B. Pascua, the activity spans the month of February, with the Campaign Period including Presidential Election Forum, Campus-wide Presidential and Vice-Presidential Debates are set on February 12-13, with the Election Day and Proclamation on the 14th.
“We are very excited for this year’s SSG and SPG Elections as we are piloting our Automated Election System this year, and hopefully institutionalize it by next year” Undersecretary Pascua explained.
He added that a lot of activities are being prepared for the Student and Pupil Officials and their respective Advisers, in line with the efforts of the Department to further empower its learners and teacher-advisers for the benefit of their respective schools.
Roles and responsibilities of schools
The same Memo also mentioned specific responsibilities in line with the synchronized SPG and SSG elections:
1. The School Head (SH), upon the proposal of the members of the SPG/SSG Commission on Elections (COMELEC) with the recommendation of the SPG/SSG COMELEC Chairperson, may also issue additional guidelines on the SPG/SSG COMELEC Standard Election Code consistent with the Constitution and By-Laws of the SPG and SSG in elementary and secondary schools, to ensure the fair and successful conduct of the elections.
2. The SGOD Chief and the Division Youth Formation Coordinator (PDO I) shall conduct the election of the Division Federation of SPG and SSG Officers on March 9, 2020 and shall submit to the Youth Formation Division (YFD) the result of the Division Federation elections using the attached Enclosure No. 1.
3. The Regional ESSD Chief and the Regional Youth Formation Focal Person (PDO IV) shall conduct the election of the Regional Federation of SPG and SSG Officers on March 23, 2020, and shall submit to YFD the result of the Regional Federation elections using the attached Enclosure No. 2.
4. The elected SPG/SSG officers during the oath taking ceremony shall undergo a parallel school-based training on basic skills of leadership, roles, functions, and responsibilities of each office using the modules of the Student Leadership Development Program (SLDP) and Nation of Heroes. The newly-nominated SPG/SSG Adviser shall supervise the implementation of the said training, in cooperation with the previous SPG/SSG officers and adviser.
“Digital Rise” and the Public Schools of the Future Framework
The Automation of the Elections is part of the Digital Rise Program of the Department, under the framework of Public Schools of the Future.
“The idea is to utilize technology to help aid not just learning and school instruction, but also streamline administrative, financial, and other processes under the Department,” Pascua shared.
The Automated Election System was developed by the Information and Communications Technology Service (ICTS), with input from the Youth Formation Division (YFD).
“The Automated Election System is but a small step we are taking currently towards IT Integration” he added.
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