Republic of the Philippines

D epartment of Education
R E G I O N III
SCHOOLS DIVISION OF CITY OF BALANGA
BALANGA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
BRGY. TALISAY, CITY OF BALANGA, BATAAN

SLAC on Promoting Academic Honesty

October 26, 2021 I 3:00 PM
Via Google Meet

Due to the most recent news and controversy that is circulating in different social media
platforms about “Online Kopyahan” Facebook groups where thousands of students are part of,
Department of Education was alarmed and emphasized that this publicized cheating is something
that they do not tolerate and will make an immediate action. As DepEd denounces Academic
Dishonesty of the pupils especially in today’s learning modality, which is Distance Learning,
Deped took immediate action by Informing and encouraging the schools, and teachers to
promote academic honesty their pupils and students.
In order to appeal to teachers, parents, and pupils in maintaining the academic integrity
and to disapprove cheating, Regional Offices conducted seminars on guiding schools how to
maintain academic honesty. In light of these recent events, Balanga Elementary School held a
School Learning Action Cell about the Promotion of Academic Honesty with Master Teacher,
Ms. Evelyn Gaita as the Resource Speaker last October 26, 2021 at 3:00 pm via Google Meet.
With Mrs. Cleofe delos Reyes as the Emcee, the program started with singing of a
nationalistic song and a prayer via AVP. To check the attendance of everyone in the platform,
Ms. Ara Rae A. Reyes asked each grade level to think of one values that they deemed important
and wants their pupils to have especially while learning in distance learning. Some of the values
that teachers gave are integrity, discipline, trustworthiness, patience, and honesty. The welcome
remarks followed given by Assistant Principal, Mr. Randy Tallorin in which he emphasized the
importance of the topic that will be discussed in today’s SLAC Session.
For the SLAC Proper, Ms. Evelyn Gaita started by asking the teachers on what they think
are the acts of dishonesty. Each grade level shared their experiences with regards to dishonesty,
some of their experiences include cheating on exams, cheating on activity sheets where the
parents are the ones who answer the modules. The next question that was asked is how do the
teachers promote honesty and truth among their pupils? Again, some of the teachers shared their
practices on how they encourage pupils to be more honest and truthful. Some of them said that
they doesn’t create a competitive atmosphere as this provokes some students to cheat. Another
answer is that they always emphasized to parents and pupils that grade is just a number, it
doesn’t define them as a student. What matters is their progress and development and being
honest as a person.
After the sharing of some of the teachers with regard to dishonesty and their practices in
promoting academic honesty, the orientation on what academic honesty and dishonesty is and
what are the actions that schools could take to encourage pupils to be honest and have integrity
in distance learning followed.
In the orientation, academic honesty and dishonesty was defined and the different forms
of dishonesty was comprehensively discussed. These include: Cheating, Plagiarism, Fabrication
or Falsification, Sabotage, and Contract Cheating.

BALANGA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Address: Brgy. Talisay, City of Balanga, Bataan
Telephone No: (047) 633-2910
E-mail: balangaes@yahoo.com
 Republic of the Philippines
D epartment of Education
R E G I O N III
SCHOOLS DIVISION OF CITY OF BALANGA
BALANGA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
BRGY. TALISAY, CITY OF BALANGA, BATAAN

The DepEd also reiterates that although the SLM’s are not grades, it doesn’t mean that
pupils could copy the key answers, because this is used in making academic decisions and for the
learner’s progress. To protect academic integrity of the students, the immediate actions to be
taken were discussed. This includes, Conducting Orientation with parents to raise awareness on
cheating, discussing to parents how pupils are graded and about the grading system. Another is
monitoring learner’s online activity in joining such FB Groups, Next is making a contract about
academic dishonesty which is explained to parents and students, Next is making Learning
Activity Sheets that require the learners to analyze information and to explain their thinking.
Incorporating other assessment schemes are also an example of immediate action to be taken.
Intensifying Academic Consultation to pupils and lastly, including academic honesty/ integrity in
the INSET or capacity building of teachers.
Before the SLAC Session end, Ms. Evelyn Gaita shared 5 ways on increasing student
integrity that she thinks is very helpful for us elementary teachers. This includes, infusing
integrity into classroom culture, developing moral vocabulary to pupils (responsibility, respect,
fairness, trustworthiness, and honesty). Next is responding appropriately when cheating occurs.
When cheating occurs, this should not be tolerated and must have immediate action, like having
conversation to the pupils and parents. Fourth is using quotes to ignite meaningful conversations,
Ms. Gaita shared that teachers can start the class with quotes related to integrity in which pupils
can reflect and give their ideas. Lastly is to encourage students to believe in their abilities.
Teachers must be a motivator to encourage pupils to do their best and not result to cheating.
The SLAC ended with a closing message from Mr. Randy Tallorin, where he thanked
everyone in joining today’s SLAC Session.

BALANGA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Address: Brgy. Talisay, City of Balanga, Bataan
Telephone No: (047) 633-2910
E-mail: balangaes@yahoo.com