part 1

.l$ NG eo 'T. , -,' iHj *epublic of tte $bitippin?s Depurtment of @lucction DepEd ORDER No. , s. 2022 IMPLEMEI{TII{G GUIDELIIYES OI{ THE ESTABLISHMENT OF SCHOOL GOVERNAITCE COT'NCIL To: Undersecretaries Assistant Secretaries Bureau and Service Directors Minister of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education, BARMM Regional Directors Schools Division Superintendents Public Elementary and Secondar5r School Heads All Others Concerned 1. Pursuant to Republic Act (RA) No. 9155 known as the Governance of Basic Education Act of 2OO1, the Depa-rtment of Education issues the Impletrentlng Guldellaes on the Establlehmeat of School Goveraaace Couacll (SGCf . This policy aims to recognize and strengthen the role of school stakeholders, alongside Local Government Units (LGUs), as partners in providing learners accessible and quality education, upholding children's rights, and promoting respect and well-being in the learning environment to ensure effective education service delivery. The SGC shall function as a structure for shared governance and a feedback mechanism at the school level. 2. Procedures and processes stipulated in this DepEd Order shall assist all public elementaqr and secondar5z schools in establishing their respective School Governance Councils. The SGC shall be the overall coordinating body of all committees, associations, and organizations in their schools that shall translate the principle of shared governance enshrined in RA 9155 and contribute in strengthening the implementation of School-Based Management. 3. All existing Orders, Memoranda, and other related issuances, rules and regulations, and provisions inconsistent with this Order are repealed, rescinded, and modihed accordingly. 4. This Order shall take effect 15 days after publication in the Official Gazette or in two newspapers of general circulation. This shall be registered with the Off-rce of the National Administrative Register (ONAR) at the University of the Philippines (UP) Law Center, UP Diliman, Quezon City. 5. For more information, queries, and concerns on this matter, kindly course through the Bureau of Hunan Reaource atrd Organlzatlooal Development-School Effectiveness Dlvlsion (BHROD-SED), 4th Floor, Mabini Building, Department of Education Central Office, DepEd Complex, Meralco Avenue, Pasig City, through email at bhrod.sed@deped.gov.ph or telephone number (02) 8633-5397. 6. Immediate dissemination of and strict compliance with this Order is directed. LEONOR/^H IIIAGTOLIS BRIONES u DepEd Comptex, Meralco Avenue, Pasig City 1600 P 4633 -7 2OA I 4633 -7 224 I 4632- 136 | Secretarv I auau-orrurrua7.6209 | www.aepea.gov.ph ,.

Encl.: As stated References: DepEd Order Nos. 40 and 83, s. 2012; 27 and 44, s.2015; and OO3, s. 2021 To be indicated in the Pemetual Index under the following subjects: COMMITTEES COUNCIL ORGANIZATIONS POLICY PROCEDURE SCHOOLS SOCIETY OR ASSOCIATIONS MCR/AP /Mrc, 0157/May 31, 2022 thr Esrabli.

(Enclosure to DepEd Order No. _ s. I IMPLEMEITTII|G GUIDELINES ON THE E TABLISHMENT OF scHool, GovERlraNcE courclL (sccl I. RATIONALE The Governance of Basic Education Act of 2O0l (RA 9155) emphasizes that every unit in the education bureaucracy is responsible and accountable for continuous improvement of learning outcomes. Through the principle of shared governance, participatory decision-making driven by active engagement of school stakeholders is strengthened. The Department of Education (DepEd) believes that shared responsibility of school heads, teachers, parents, learners, local Government Units (LGUs), and the community at large is a core enabler in providing accessible and quality basic education in a safe, healthy, and nurturing learning environment. With School-Based Management (SBM) as the face of shared governance in schools, it embodies a participative approach in decision-making through decentralization, while promoting the rights and well-being of learners in support of the rights-based education (RBE) approach. RBE creates and supports a conducive learning environment that promotes respect and well-being, where chil&en and learners can exercise their rights ald responsibilities in the context of basic education and actively engage and participate in matters concerning them. Institutionalizing SBM whiie embracing RBE approach builds and nurtures an effective school that continuously improves, respects, protects, fulfills, and promotes the rights of the learners. To further strengthen the implementation of SBM, mechanisms that provide schools the opportunity to invite, involve, and influence school stakeholders to partake in making schools more effective are established. The SGC, started as a school initiative, is a forum where interna] and external stakeholders convene and collaborate to address school concerns and help improve school performance. It promotes stakeholders' involvement, empowers community members to take ownership of the decisions made, and encourages expansion of existing networks in the schools. The World Bank Group in 2O16 has identiJied the SGC as one of the key elements of the SBM system that is already in place. The study concluded that the role of representatives from SGCs could be expanded to increase awareness arnong parents (Enclosure to DepEd Order No. , s. 2022).

and education stakeholders of implementation of the SBM. the useful role they could play in supporting To adopt the policy suggestion to institutionalize the SGC and to encourage a stronger partnership among stakeholders that will contribute to a more effective impiementation of SBM, these guidelines aim to establish SGC as a structure for shared governance and a feedback mechanism that will provide a venue for parents, learners, teaching and non-teaching staIf, community stakeholders, and the school head to work together towards continuously improving learning outcomes, and more broadly, respecting, protecting, fulfilling, and promoting the rights of children and learners in the basic education context. II. SCOPE OF THE POLICY This DepEd Order provides the implementing guidelines on the establishment of SGC as well as the structure, composition, membership, roles, and responsibilities of SGC members, among others. These guidelines shall be implemented nationwide in all public elementary and secondar5r schools and shali include all school organizations such as the School Planning Team (SPT), Parents-Teachers Association (PTA), Supreme Pupil Government (SPG)/Supreme Student Government (SSG), DepEd-recognized teacher organizations, National Employees Union at the school level, Alumni Associations, and other school comrnittees/ associations/organizations in so far as their membership in the SGC is concerned. III. DEFINITION OF TERMS For t1.e purpose of this policy, the following are defined alrd understood as follows: 1. Avail Grstrt - refers to the process of receiving grant from partner/s by the schools as represented by the School Head to support the needs of the learners and the school. 2. Annual lrnplemcntation Plan - refers to the year-by-year pian of schools that contains specific activities, outputs, required resources, schedule, and individual/s who will be accountable for the accomplishment of the Priority Improvement Areas. 3. Collective - refers to the group of individuals consisting of the school's internal and external stakeholders with common goals guided by the principle of shared.

govern.rnce and shared accountability that work as one toward school improvement. 4. Commualt5r - refers to the school's internal and external stakeholders who collectively work for the continuous improvement of the school system by initiating establishment of strong partnerships and networks not only with the school but also of the immediate local government units and authorities where t}re school belongs. 5. Consultatlve - refers to the participative approach of the SGC in identifying and providing recommendations in the development of and for school policies arrd strategic directions. 6. Disburaement of Fua'ds - refers to the process of receiving funds from the partner/s who provided the "grant" following the protocols, existing rules and regulations and the procedures on accepting donations and the availment of tax incentives from private partners as stated in DO 24, s. 2016. 7. Dr-officio members - refer to the initial members of the council who shall select representatives of different school internal and external stakeholders who will complete the SGC. They may or may not hold positions as olficers of the SGC unless elected by the council. They are composed of the designated co- chairperson and representatives from the student government, PTA, and faculty club or its equivalent. They shall select representatives of different school internal and external stakeholders who will complete the SGC. 8. Erternd stakeholders - refer to the individuals or organizations who are not directly involved in or affected by the daily educational operations of the school but have strong interest in collaborating with and/or supporting the school to address its concerns and improve its performance. Externa-1 stakeholders may include the parents and guardiarrs, community members, local government units, civil society organizations, other national government agencies and government-owned and controlled corporations, international organizations, private companies, business enterprises, corporate foundations, cooperatives, and other concerned private individuals. 9. Grant - assistance provided by partner/s, which may be in the form of, but not limited to, infrastructure, real estate property, use of facilities, training and skills development support, funding, consultancy, logistics, technolory support, and equipment. 10. Interaal stakeholders - refer to individuals who are directly and immediateiy involved in or affected by the daiiy educationa.l operations of the school. Internal stakeholders include the learners and school personnel..

13. Priority Improvement Area (PIA) - refers to selected areas in school management, operalions, and service delivery that need to be changed to improve the three key result areas in basic education: access, quality, and governance. 14. School-based Management (SBMI - refers to the decentralization of decision- making authority from central, region, and division levels to the individual schools, with the intent of bringing together school heads, teachers, students, as well as parents, the local government units, and the community at large to improve learning outcomes through effective schools. 15. School Improvemeat Plan (SIPI - refers to a three-year roadmap that lays down the school's specific solutions of corresponding identifred Priority Improvement Areas, which focus on the improvement of access, quality, and governance in basic education. 16. School Report Card (SRCI - refers to the reporting tool that provides stakeholders a snapshot of the school's current condition and performance wittr focus on: 1) school profile; 2) pedormance indicators measuring aspects of access, quality, artd school governance; artd 3) status of school projects. 17. SGC members - refer to the representatives of different school committees/associations/organizations, reputable members of the community, and representatives of community organizations in the SGC that are established as council members. 11. Learniag outcomcs - refer to the standards that are achieved by maximizing the competencies of teachers and potential of a1l types of learners. 12. Partner - refers to individuals or organizations that enter into agreement with aly of the DepEd offrces and/or schools to enable DepEd to strengthen its capability to deliver quality basic education. The partners may be, but are not limited to, local government units (LGUs), national government agencies (NGAs), private institutions like private companies, cooperalives, socio-civic organizations, non-government or civil societ5r organizations (NGOs/CSOs), faith-based organizations, higher education institutions (HEIs), technical vocational training institutions (TVTIS), both technical-vocational institutions (TVIs) artd TESDA training institutions (TTIs), other training institutions, professional organizations, entrepreneurs, and private individuals who are willing to lend support to DepEd and its schools for the advancement of learnin g of the students..

18. SGC officera - refer to both designated Co-Chairperson and elected olficers who hold positions in the council. 19. Shared govenraace - refers to a principle which recognizes that every unit in the education bureaucracy has a particular role, task and responsibility inherent in the oflice and for which it is principally accountable for outcomes. 2O. Transparency board - a publicly accessible tool that can be seen in the school vicinity where information on the sources, intended use, and actual utilization of school funds, among others, shall be posted and updated regularly. rV. POLICY STATEMENT A11 public elementarJr and secondarlz schools shall establish School Goveraaace Couacils, which shall serve as overarching consultative and coordinating bodies for all comrnittees, associations, and organizations ln their respectlve echools. The SGC shall form part of the school structure as an embodiment of the principle of shared governzrnce, mandated under Republic Act No. 9155. Furthermore, these guidelines aim to guide the schools in establishing functional SGCs that shall synergize the work and effort of all school committees/ associations/ organizations through the harmonization of programs, projects, and activities relevant to the achievement of priority improvement areas and continuous improvement of school operations toward school ellectiveness contributory to the realization of the rights of the child and learner in the basic education context arrd betterment of learning outcomes. V. GUIDELINESi AND PROCEDURES Geaeral Purpose of the School Governance Couacll The SGC shall function as a structure for shared governance and a feedback mechanism at the school level. However, the SGC shal1 not manage the school and shall not have a separate and distinct juridical personality apart from the school. The SGC sha11 not replace the Parents Teacher Association (PTA), Supreme Pupil/Student Government, School Planning Team (SPT), Alumni Association, Child Protection Committee (CPC), and other existing school committees/ associations/ organizations. In fact, the SGC shali strengthen tl1e school by sl.nergizing the work of PTA, Supreme Pupil/ Student Government, SPT, and Alumni Association, CPC v/ith the efforts of other.

committees/associations/organizations in the school through shared governance, shared commitment, and shared accountability. As a structure for shared governance, the SGC shall be an avenue where the democratic process of consultation with the schooi's internal ald external stakeholders in the decision-making will be observed. As a feedback mechanism, the SGC sha-1I be a feedback link between the school stakeholders (learners, parents, and other school stakeholders) and school management (school head and personnel) on school performance and service quality. The SGC provides a venue for parents, learners, teaching and non-teaching personnel, internal and external stakeholders, and the school head to work together towards continuously improving learning outcomes and ensuring that children's rights are respected, protected, fulfilled, and promoted in a gender-responsive, non- discriminatory, and inclusive physical and socia-l learning environment. It shall have two m4or purposes: structure for shared governance and feedback mechalism. A. Functions ofthe SGC as a Structure for Shared Governance 1. serve as a collective and consultative body for school plans, programs, activities, and strategic directions; 2. serve as the overall coordinating body that wili s},nergize, harmonize, and put together the work of the different school committees, including but not limited to the SPT, School Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM) Comrnittee, Child Protection Committee (CPC), Supreme Pupil Government / Supreme Student Government, Faculty C1ub, Non-teaching Association, PTA, Alumni Associations, DepEd-recognized teacher organizations, and National Employees Union at school level, among others; and 3. serve as a platform to cultivate the spirit of baganilnn among stakeholders to support the school and encourage active participation of the stakeholders in the implementation of DepEd policies and programs, while promoting equal opportunity for all regardless of age, gender, disability, marital status, ethnici!2, ald religious beliefs. B. Functions of the SGC as a Feedback Mechanlsm The SGC shall: The SGC shall:.

1. help the school improve and sustain its feedback system by strengthening practices that promote stakeholders' participation; 2. assi.st the school in ensuring transparency in its operations and performance, specifrcally school programs and resources management; and 3. recommend ways of improving the quality of basic education services and school performance to the school management ard school planning tean, artd its means of respecting, protecting, fulfilling, and promoting children's rights in the education context. Specific Functions ofthe School Governance Council Given the dual purpose, the SGC sha-ll: participate actively in the formulation and implementation of the SIP and other DepEd programs, projects, and activities; communicate to the SPT and project teams the learners' and stakeholders' feedback and satisfaction on the physical and frnancial accomplishment of the SIP ald Annual Implementation Plans (AIP) and provide recommendations on improving efficiency and quality of the school services; submit SGC semi-annual accomplishment report including an action plan, through and with the approval of the Schooi Head, to Schools Division Superintendent (SDS) and LGUs and integrate it in the SRC; 1 2 4 5 3. recommend to the school, as well as to the LGU through the Loca-l School Board (LSB) to strengthen support of and relationship with the LGU, relevant local school programs ald projects consistent with national policies or needs-based, data-driven, gender-responsive and inclusive interventions affecting learners' rights in education and their welfare; organize meetings, through the School Head, within the school premises or in such places as may be determined by the co-chairpersons for safetSr or other valid reasons ald scheduled at a time convenient for everyone, for purposes of harmonizing proposed and existing programs, projects, and activities initiated, espoused by various committees building partnerships and networks with the Alumni Associations, businesses and industries, donors, retirees, religious groups, CSOs, NGOs, LGUs, PTAs, individual community members, and other external stakeholders via face-to-face or online/ virtual piatforms;.

6 support the dissemination of pertinent school data and information following a sex-disaggregated data using the School Report Card, Transparency Board, WASH In Schools (WinS) Three Star Approach Report, Child-Friendly School System, school-based child protection checklist, reports on learner-led school watching and hazard mapping and on comprehensive school sa-fety, or other communication tools to inform stakeholders; conduct orientation and advocacy activities on the va-1ue and benefits of education, complementary roles of parents, community, industry and LGUs in education, and children's rights in education and welfare; attend pertinent school meetings and assemblies in which all sectors are properly represented; prepare a report on any irregularities or violations of these implementing guidelines, and should be filed to the proper disciplining authority; 10. attend and conduct school-level training to help raise awareness of its role for the effective oversight of school planning and resource use; 11. work collaboratively with Child Rights in Education Desk (CREDe), Child Protection Unit (CPU), and other similar DepEd organizations to devise relevant projects, programs, and interventions in upholding the rights of the child in and through t].e Department; 12. work collaboratively with CPC to come-up with relevant projects, prograrns, and interventions in support of its function to ensure that in all decisions arrd actions involving children, the paramount consideration is the best interest of the child, that the views and opinions of children are heard and seriously considered, and that no child is left behind or discriminated against by reason of age, gender, socio-economic background, ethnicity, culture, religion, and disabilit5r; and 13. work collaboratively with the SPT to devise relevant prograrns, projects, and initiatives in fulfrlling its role of developing and implementing SIP and AIP. 7 8 9.

C. SGC Structure The basic organizational structure of SGC is composed of the Designated Co- Chairperson, Elected Co-Chairperson, Secretary, and Council Members. Structure of School Governance Council The Designated Co-Chairperson shall be a school representative chosen by the School Head, while the Elected Co-Chairperson sha-1l be chosen from the externa-l stakeholders within the council through voting. D. Composltlon of SGC Members There shall be four (4) ex-oIlicio members of the SGC. These ex-oIficio members shall be composed of the following internal and externa-l school stakeholders: designated Co-Chairperson and representatives from the student government, PTA, and faculty club or its equivalent. The School Head shall designate a school representative, who exhibits the leadership competencies reflected in Domain 6. Communitg Linkages and Professional Engagement of the Philippine Professional Standards for Teachers (DepEd Order 42 s. 2O17), to assume the position of Co-Chairperson. Each of the school organizations / associations / committees shall appoint a representative, who may not necessarily be the incumbent president or chairperson of their respective school committee / association f organizaluor,, to be the initial council members of the SGC. School Principal a L ! Designated - co-chui.p.."ort It Elected I co-chuirpe."or, a - a Other ii' corn"il M.-b"." IMFORTANT . volint Meaber6: 7 - l5 tr€,rl'€rE iffluding the 3 SGC Otfi.el,s (Desi grEt€d Co Cllairpetsd, Eleded Co{EirPereo& ard Seci€taa) . Non-Votilt Membet6: Additionrl 6.6rh€rs Non-Votint Couftil Member6 FJ-r O glected - Set'retary voting (loun(il -'l- __l +.

In consideration of the varying needs and contexts of schools, the four (4) ex-offrcio members shall determine the total number of SGC members anywhere from seven (7) to frfteen (15) depending on the school typologz. Upon determining the total number of SGC members, the four (4) ex-ofiicio members, through a deliberative and consensus process, shall then select the council members who will complete the composition of the SGC. Additional members may be allowed should the SGC frnd it necessar5r based on the context of the school. The additional members shall be decided upon by the SGC collectively. These members sha-li be composed of heads/presidents/ assigned representatives from other school committees/associations/organizations, including school-based Alternative t earning System (ALS) teachers and learners, reputable members of the community, and representatives of community organizations duly recognized by government authorities, such as but not limited to the following: Alumni Association, Education Committee of the Barangay, Non-Government Organizatrons, Religious Organizations, etc. For schools located in ancestral domains and/or with learners belonging to Indigenous Cultural Communities (lCCs), a community representative duly chosen by the ICC's customarJr govern.rnce structure or chosen through the customary way of determining appropriate cultural representation shall have a slot as a council member. Moreover, the prospective council members must be trustworthy, willing, or have a sincere desire to become members of tJle SGC, regardless of position, and driven to support the school and its endeavors toward improving learning outcomes and upholding the rights of the child and learner in the basic education context, by working together with other schooi internal and externa.l stakehoiders. The School Head shall ensure that all school committees / organizanons / associations and the external stakeholders are represented in the SGC and the selection process of the council members is gender-responsive, non-discrirninatory, and inclusive. Any form of prejudice and bias in selecting additional SGC members based on race, co1or, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital status, cit2enship, national and ethnical origin, or any other characteristic protected by law shall not be tolerated. The School Head shall not be authorized to represent any of the school committees/associations/organizations in the SGC regardless of the school size. In the case of small schools, the authority of multiple representations of school committees/ associations/organizations in the SGC shall only be given to the teachers artd other council members. The SGC is encouraged to expand its membership to strengthen the partnership between the schools and their respective stakeholders and to value the voice of the latter in the determination and recommendation of strategies to make their schools.

more effective. However, this shall only be considered once the seven (7) to 15 SGC membership is complete. In the case of expanded membership, the SGC shall have two t)pes of council members: voting and non-voting council members. The voting council members shall be composed of the seven (7) to hfteen (15), including the four (4) ex-oilicio members, selected representatives of the school's internal and external committees / organizations / associations. The non-voting council members shall be composed of the (a) former SGC members who wish to extend their membership and have active membership status in the committees / orgarrizations / associations they previously represented in the council, and the (b) additional council members who are collectively selected by the incumbent, voting SGC members. Following the completion of its membership, the SGC shall elect their oilicers (co- chairperson and secretar5r) from its voting council members. In the conduct of the elections, the Desigrrated Co-Chairperson shall be excluded from the nominations. AI1 voting council members shall exercise their right to vote. E. Roles and Responsibilities of SGC Ollicers l. The Designaled Co-Chairperson shall: a. co-lead the SGC in developing / identifoing programs, projects and activities that support and/or address school improvement; b. prepare agenda of meetings in consultation with the Elected Co- Chairperson and other council members; c. call and preside over meetings of the SGC, in the absence of the Elected Co-Chairperson; d. sign communications, notice of meetings, and other documents of the SGC; ascertain that in all meetings, a quorum is met; e f. attend meetings of the SGC and cast a vote on matters that need consensus decision; g. initiate and respond to all communications which are for tJ:e attention of the Council; h. make himself/herself available to the wider school community for consultation and information sharing;.

discuss with the School Head the direction of the SGC; j. represent the SGC in his/her official capacity as Designated Co- Chairperson on occasions, events, and a-:e Elected Co-CLnirperson shall: a. co-lead the SGC in developing / identiSing progrzrms, projects and activities that support and/or address school improvement; b. prepare agenda of meetings in consultation with the Designated Co- Chairperson ald other council members; call and preside over all meetings of the SGC; C I d. sign communications, notice of meetings, and other documents of the SGC; e. ascertain that in all meetings, a quorum is met; f. attend meetings of the SGC arrd cast a vote on matters that need consensus decision; g. initiate and respond to all communications which are for the attention of the Council; h. make himself/herself available to the wider school community for consultation and information sharing; discuss with the School Head the direction of the SGC; j. represent the SGC in his/her oflicial capacity as Elected Co-Chairperson on occasions, events, and affairs where representation is needed;.

k. exercise general supervision over all activities relative to the functions of the Council; l. delegate other functions when necessar5r; and m. perform other functions and duties relaLive to the functions of the Council. 3. The Secretary shall: a. finalize agenda of meetings as prepared by the Co-Chairpersons; b. keep t}re minutes and all other records of the SGC; c prepare and Iile all communications and documents of the SGC; d. prepare quarterly reports of the activities of t]le SGC to the school stakeholders and publish them on the school's Tralsparency Board and SRC which shall also serve as references to the development of the semi- annual report to be submitted to the SDO; e. lead the preparation of quarterly reports of SGC activities for publication in the school's Transparency Board and SRC; f. issue notice of meetings to all members of the SGC at least a week before the scheduled time; g. attend meetings of the SGC arld cast a vote on matters that need consensus decision; h. provide all council members legible copies of the minutes of the meeting within two weeks after the conduct of meeting; record the attendance of council members during meetings; and j. perform such other functions and duties assigned by the Eiected Co- Chairperson. F. Roles and Responslbllities of All SGC Members 1. Voting council members shall: a. attend meetings regularly;.

b. participate, promote, and support SGC activities; raise concerns and needs of learners and other stakeholders, including those outside of the school that have bearing on school services and processes; d. represent their committee / association/organization in the Council; e propose meeting agenda for consideration of the Elected Co-Chairperson; f. attend meetings of the SGC and cast a vote on matters that need consensus decision; g. facilitate the engagement and linkages of other stakeholders in support of the school's priority improvement areas; h. advocate the SGC activities to school's interna-l and externa-l stakeholders; and perform other functions and duties assigned by the Elected Co- Chairperson. 2. Non-voting council members shall: a. attend meetings regularly; b. participate, promote, and support SGC activities; raise concerns and needs of learners and other stakeholders, including those outside of t}le school that have bearing on school services and processes; d. propose meeting agenda for consideration ofthe Elected Co-Chairperson; facilitate the engagement and linkages of other stakeholders in support of the school's priority improvement areas; f. advocate the SGC activities to school's internal and external stakeholders; and g. perform other functions and duties assigned by the Elected Co- Chairperson. C c e.

All council members are expected to use respectful, gender-fair, inclusive, and culture- sensitive language in providing inputs and views on issues presented during SGC meetings. G. Name of the SGC For identification purposes, the SGC shall carry a narne which shall include the name of the school iike the example provided below. o School Governance Council ofJose Rizal Elementary School, or . Jose Rizal Elementary School-School Governance Council As the SGC bears the name of the school and is a school organization in nature, it does not have a separate and distinct juridical personality apart from the school. Hence, in the event of irregrlarities or violations of the guidelines stipulated in tllis policy, the SGC shall undergo due process before a decision is made. H. Procedures on SGC Creatloa The schools with existing SGCs shall adopt the new structure provided herein, in tJ:e immediate school year following the implementation of this poticy. The schools without existing SGCs shall establish their own SGCs accordingly. The following shall be the procedures on SGC creation: a. The School Head shall orient and discuss the policy to the existing SGC of the school. b. The existing SGC shall meet and align with the current policy in preparation for the implementation in the following school year (SY). d. In case the existing SGC's name does not conform to the naming guidetnes in this policy, it shall be renamed accordingly for the next SY. e. The newly-installed SGC may invite former council members to join and participate in ttre council's activities, conforming with the guidelines for expanded SGC membership. 1. For Schools with existing SGCs c. The SGC shall prepare for the implementation of the policy for the next SY..

a. The School Head shall orient the school's internal stakeholders about the potcy. b. The School Head shall identify the four ex-officio members who are representatives from the student govemnent, PTA, and facult5r club or its equivalent. The four (4) ex-ofiicio members, through a deliberadve and consensus process, shall select the council members who wiil complete the composition of the SGC. c e d. The SGC shall prepare for the election of oilicers (Co-Chairperson and Secretary). The SGC shall elect their officers from its council members. In the conduct of the elections, the Designated Co-Chairperson shall be excluded from the nominations. A11 council members shall exercise their right to vote. f. After the election and completion of the membership of the council, the school may now formally induct the SGC. I. Election of SGC Olfrcers The School Head shall ca-ll for the election of SGC Officers, namely the Co-Chairperson from the external stakeholders and Secretary. This shall happen after the elections of other comrrittees/ associations/organizations internal to the school (for example Teachers' Association, SSG/SPG, etc.) and PTA. Thus, the election shall be held on or before the sixth week after the opening of classes which can also serve as the first meeting of the council. The call for election shall be made publicly and notice shall be posted in public areas two (2) weeks before the election. Caldidates for these positions sha-lI come from the voting council members. The candidates shall frle their candidacy one (1) week before the election through olficial communication addressed to the school head. The deadline for hling of candidacy shall be three (3) days prior to the conduct of election. Announcements of schedule of election activities and names of candidates shall a-lso be posted on the transparency board and other public areas within the school vicinity. The election shall be done through secret voting wherein the school head shall chair the election and shall lead the canvassing of votes. The voting SGC members shall 2. For Schools with no existlng SGCS.

only be allowed to vote one (1) candidate for each position. Canvassing of votes and proclamation of elected officials shali be done within the same day of the election. Votes will be counted in front of alt SGC members. The candidate who garnered the highest number of votes for the position shall be declared the officer-elect. In case of a tie, the officer-e1ect will be determined through a toss coin or draw lots. The resolution proclaiming the officers-elect, signed by the School Head, shall be submitted to the SDO. The subrnitted resolution shall be final and executory and shal1 not be subject to election protest. Additionally, it sha-I1 be circulated and posted on the transparency board and other public areas within the school vicinity. In Indigenous Peoples communities, election processes must be culturally sensitive and responsive to indigenous customary processes or practices that the comrnunity representatives may wish to observe. The School Head may determine the appropriate proceedings for the conduct of elections. J. Tenure A11 voting SGC members sha-11 hold oiEce for a maximum of three (3) Schooi Years (SY). Accordingly, all SGC officers (Designated Co-Chairperson, Elected Co-Chairperson, and Secretary) shall serve and assume their positions for three (3) SYs. After their terms as council members and officers, SGC members may continue to be a part of the council and participate in the council's activities as non-voting members to ensure continuity in the implementation of SIP. K. Vacancies In case of vacancy in the Elected Co-Chairperson or Secretary position, the School Head sha-ll open the nomination for t}re vacated position from the voting-council members and conduct an election within (15) days from the day the position is rendered or considered vacant. The newly-elected officer shall immediately assume the position and serve the remaining period. In case of vacancy in the Designated Co-Chairperson position, the School Head sha,1l select another school representative, who exhibits the leadership competencies reflected in Domain 6. Communitg Linkages and Professional Engagement of DepEd Order 42 s. 2O17. Any vacancy among the voting council members, the ex-offrcio members, through a consensus process, shall select the members who will complete the SGC. The replacement of the SGC members shall serve for the duration of the unexpired term of the previous SGC members..

L. Removal from Oflice The SGC members shall be removed from the council if the member committed arry of the following acts: l. Misrepresentation of the SGC - when an SGC member enters into a contract or engages in an activity using his/her membership of the SGC as an edge for personal gain and/or representing the SGC other than what he/she is authorized to. 2. Solicitation of financial resources - an act or instance of requesting or seeking monetary donation or dole out from any individual, organization, or group using the council and/or the school as the beneficiaries for personal gain. 4. Gross negligence - a conscious disregard of safety precautions or standard operating procedures resulting to grave damage, injury, or harm. 5. Fosteing disunitg in the scLaol - participating in activities or convening people with the intention to create hostility, enmity, animosity against the school. 6. Commits and/ or supporTs unlawful acts - participation in any form of activity that violates existing laws and DepEd potcies. 7. Acts on discrimination and gender uiolence pursuant to eisting applicable latus, tules, and regulation. 8. Abuse of autlaity - use or misuse of authority in deliberate and capricious manner contrary to the natural or iegal rules for its use. 9. Other acts or omission analogous to the aboue-mentioned. The removal from SGC of any member sha.ll only be implemented after the accused member has been accorded with due process. Due process shali include the following procedures: 1. Any member may make a written motion/complaint addressed to the Elected Co-Chairperson to disqualify a member, clearly identifying tie member being complained of and stating clearly the alleged prohibited act and the details/circumstances, together v/ith supporting documents/evidence, if any. 3. Acrs that go against the interest of the school and leamers - leads or participates in any form of activity that is not in accordance with the identilied needs or directions of the school or prejudices the interest of learners..

2. The Elected Co-Chairperson shall conduct special meetings with notice to the parties concerned. 4. The voting SGC members shall discuss the case alrd decide thereon by voting no later than seven (7) days from the receipt of the written motion/complaint from the complainant. The decision for the remova-l of a member shall require a two-thirds (2/3) consensus vote of a-11 SGC members. 5. The decision for the removal of a member shall be made in writing, signed by the SGC officers, and furnished to the member complained of with a copy submitted to the Schools Division OIlice-School Governance and Operation Division (SDO-SGOD). The decision of the SGC, finding a member guilty of committing prohibited acts with the imposition of remova-l from the SGC membership, shall be immediately executory. In addition, the said member shall be suspended from being an SGC member for a period of six (6) years. In this regard, the SGOD at the SDO shall maintain a list of SGC members who have been disqualified for ready reference of schools. The party found guilty may frle an appeal to the Schools Division Superintendent (SDS) within a period of fifteen days (15) from receipt of the decision. The SGOD-SDO shall be the focal ollice and shall provide support to the SDS in rendering the decision on the appeal. The SGOD-SDO shall submit a report on its findings and recommendations on the appeal to the SDS. The SDS may also add additional offices/personnel of the sDo as may be deemed necessary. The decision of the SDS shall be frnal. M. Operations Meetlngs The SGC shall hold virtual or in-person meetings at the school premises' or in such places as may be determined by the Elected Co-Chairperson for safety or other valid reasons and scheduled at a time convenient for everyone' especially for the student representative. At tl.e minimum, sGC meetings shall be held quarterly excePt for special meetings due to urgeocy. 3. The Elected Co-Chairperson will give the member complained of an opportunity to respond in writing within three (3) days from the receipt of the notice or before the School Head who shall call a special meeting with the council to discuss the matter..