PNU, FSE partners in Mankayan education

COMMUNITY BILLBOARD

Marionne Marie G. Molintas-Ruiz

MANKAYAN, Benguet- With the advent of the K + 12 government program, as a means to alleviate and improve the education system in the country, this municipality started reforming its educational system in partnership with the Philippine Normal University and Far Southeast Gold Resources Inc (FSE).

           

Being one of the top universities catering to early childhood education, the Philippine Normal University was engaged by FSE to further hone the skills of the preschool teachers in Mankayan. Prof. Joyce V. Leviste headed the team of PNU professors.

           

The participants of this year-long training program learned specific modules per quarter, which provided them with skills to complete preschool unit plans with the guidance of their PNU mentors.

           

The visiting PNU teachers braved the long travel from Manila to Mankayan where they met the preschool teachers of the different barangays to implement the program. Notably, one of the teachers who attended the training commented during the course that the program is very unique in the sense that it is knowledge that is being imparted and; knowledge cannot be taken away from one who has received it – but it is their responsibility to share that knowledge to the rest and be more effective in their calling.

           

After weeks of training, the PNU staff went back for scheduled visits to observe the preschool teachers on site and evaluate if their teaching methods improved.

“Mahirapang plight ngmga teachers saprobinsiya, lalona at maliitangsahod at marami din silangiba pang responsibilidad,” Leviste said after one site observation in Barangay Cabiten.

           

She noted how the teachers had long, daily treks to go to school, maintain their energy and enthusiasm to keep the students interested in their classes thereby encouraging them to attend class regularly.

           

“Imagine mo ang lalakarin nila para magturo sa paaralan, pero ganun din ang mga estudyante nila,” she added. These are some of the reasons why PNU is interested in helping to develop teachers in remote places in the country.

           

“Kailangan nilang malaman kung gaano ka-importante ang role nila sa paghubog ng interes sa pagaaral ng kanilang mga estudyante,” Leviste said while trekking to go to another evaluation at another baranggay.

“We are very happy that we, FSE, have been able to help add to the skills of the teachers especially the preschool teachers who are the ones forming the foundations of the youngest students,” said Nellie Ballola, Community Sustainable Development Site Team Leader whose pet project and personal advocacy is education. “Education is one of the cornerstones of the Sustainable Development strategy of FSE,” Ballola explained.

           

“Thanks to the Mankayan LGU and to its partnership with the FSE for their support to bring us here in their municipality, said Leviste.

           

Leviste and her team will come back for more improvement and development trainings again in the future. “Development especially in teaching is a continuous process, she said. We will surely come back.”