DSSC Honors 265 Newly Licensed Teachers in Grand Recognition Ceremony
The DSSC Gymnasium in Davao del Sur was filled with resounding cheers and emotional tears of relief on January 21, 2026, as Davao del Sur State College (DSSC) celebrated its latest batch of education professionals. During an official recognition ceremony for the 2025 Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) passers, the academic community gathered to honor the remarkable achievement of 265 newly licensed professional teachers.
Governor Cagas Joins Celebration of Academic Excellence
The program was graced by the presence of Governor Yvonne Roña Cagas, who stood alongside college officials, dedicated faculty members, proud parents, and enthusiastic students to recognize the accomplishments of the honorees. This event marked another significant milestone for the College of Education, which continues to demonstrate a consistent record of academic excellence in teacher preparation.
Top 6 National Placer Brings Prestige to DSSC
A highlight of the ceremony was the special recognition of Johanna C. Sepe, LPT, who achieved an outstanding placement as Top 6 nationwide in the September 2025 LET with an exceptional rating of 93.80 percent. Her remarkable accomplishment brought significant prestige not only to DSSC but also to the entire province of Davao del Sur.
In recognition of her stellar achievement, Sepe received cash incentives totaling ₱130,000, distributed as follows:
- ₱100,000 from the DSSC administration
- ₱10,000 from the College of Education
- ₱20,000 from Governor Yvonne Roña Cagas
DSSC's Exceptional LET Performance Exceeds National Averages
DSSC demonstrated exceptional collective performance in the September 2025 LET, with results that stood well above national averages across multiple programs:
Bachelor of Secondary Education (BSED) Program:
- 92.22 percent passing rate for first-time takers
- 91.08 percent overall performance
- Surpassing the national passing rate of 72.62 percent
Bachelor of Elementary Education (BEED) Program:
- 90.00 percent passing rate for first-time takers
- 82.61 percent overall performance
- Exceeding the national rate of 51.04 percent
This strong showing continues a pattern of excellence established in the March 2025 LET, where BSED achieved a 90.55 percent passing rate for first-time takers, and BEED posted an impressive 91.67 percent overall performance, both significantly higher than national averages.
Inspiring Messages from Academic Leaders
In his congratulatory message, Dr. Augie E. Fuentes, DSSC president, lauded the honorees for their resilience and determination throughout their academic journey. He emphasized that their success reflects not only individual effort but also the collective support of families, mentors, and the entire academic community that nurtured their development.
Adding inspiration to the event was guest speaker Novie James D. Ligue, LPT, a proud DSSC alumnus and Top 7 placer in the 2022 LET, who shared his personal journey toward professional success. A member of the Bagobo-Tagabawa tribe, Ligue emphasized the critical importance of a strong support system in achieving educational milestones.
"Our support system plays a vital role that culminated in the triumphant crescendo of success. That is why we became licensed professional teachers," he told the audience, highlighting the communal aspect of educational achievement.
Theme of Empowerment and Leadership
Anchored on the theme "Empowered to Teach, Prepared to Lead," the ceremony highlighted DSSC's enduring commitment to producing competent, ethical, and service-oriented educators who will shape future generations. Passers from various academic majors were formally recognized, including:
- English
- Filipino
- Mathematics
- Science
- Social Studies
- BEED
- BTLED
In an official statement, DSSC expressed profound pride in its LET passers, describing them as living testaments to resilience, academic excellence, and the transformative power of quality education. The institution emphasized that this achievement represents not only a personal victory for the graduates but also a collective success that brings honor to the entire institution and the province of Davao del Sur.
