THE Department of Education — International Cooperation Office (DepEdICO) received 10 boxes of children’s books from the Korean International Coordinating Agency (KOICA) on May 4.

The KOICA Team, composed of Baek Jiyeon, Volunteer Program Coordinator, Sheena Balinsoy, Volunteer Program Manager, and Ronnie Runtal, a staff member, completed the donation of 1,000 pieces of children’s book intended for identified Last Mile schools in Region 4-A, Calabarzon.

DepEd ICO Director Margarita Consolacion Ballesteros formally received the donation in a ceremonial turnover.

Before their delivery to Calabarzon Last-Mile Schools, samples of the books will be reviewed by the Bureau of Curriculum Development (BCD) and Bureau of Learning Resources (BLR) of the Office of the Undersecretary for Curriculum and Instruction (OUCI) to ensure that the books are consistent with DepEd issued learning materials.

Last Mile Schools, under DepEd Memo No. 059, series 2019, are schools located in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA), with indicators such as less than four classrooms, with non-standard rooms, absence of electricity, no funds for repairs within the last four years, travel distance of more than an hour from the town center, having multigrade classes, with less than five teachers, less than 100 learners, and more than 75 percent IP learners.

DepEd, through ICO, is currently exploring areas of possible collaboration with KOICA, which may eventually lead to the drafting of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), to maximize the benefits of the partnership for basic education stakeholders.

KOICA was established in 1991 by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of South Korea as a governmental organization for Official Development Assistance (ODA) to enhance the effectiveness of South Korea’s grant aid programs for developing countries by implementing the government’s grant aid and technical cooperation programs.

By its creation under DepEd Order No. 19, series 2010, ICO was mandated as the specific office within the Department to oversee its international concerns and serves as a clearinghouse for all its international transactions.