24 November 2016, Valenzuela City- The Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities recently ran a seminar billed as “Teaching Grades 11 & 12: Content & Pedagogical Approaches” at the San Lorenzo Multi-Purpose Hall of Our Lady of Fatima University (OLFU).
172 teaching professionals coming from 70 prestigious schools came to the event. The well-packed venue was a clear manifestation of the participating schools’ thirst for information about the status of K to 12, and showed as well its desire to uplift their teaching knowledge and skills for senior high school.
Being the host, Dr. Caroline Marian S. Enriquez, OLFU President and also PACU’s First Vice President, greeted the delegates. On the other hand, PACU President Dhanna Bautista-Rodas opened the program and stated the objective of the day for the group: that the event serves as a channel to clarify issues around K to 12 Transition, and that a base of shared understanding is established.
Four guest speakers graced the seminar.
Dr. Erico M Habijan gave updates on the implementation of K to 12. He is Chief for Curriculum and Learning of the Department of Education.
Tackling Industry Immersion in Grade 12 was Jose S. Sandoval, Chief Labor and Employment Officer for the Bureau of Local Employment of the Department of Labor and Employment. During the open forum, there was much debate about labor policies that seem to limit students’ immersion in actual industry operations which schools believe is the defining factor in the students’ educational track during Senior High School. PACU will initiate discussions with DOLE regarding some identified “gray areas” in the labor policies that require further clarification and consultation.
Ateneo de Manila University’s Math Coordinator for the Senior High School Department, Ryan M. Bruce, passionately spoke on Trends in Teaching Math in Grades 11 & 12. He underscored how Math can be made more relevant to the said segment by relating it to practical life.
Maria Regina C. Sibal, Executive Director of the Senior High School Department of the Far Eastern University-Main discussed Trends in Teaching Research in Grades 11 & 12. She expounded on the importance of how to guide and inspire students to do methodical, valid and ethical research, even when this generation is one inclined to things, fast and easy.
With OLFU’s Dr. Rodehlia Legasto-Macaspac as the moderator, the open forum turned into lively exchanges of queries, opinions and feedback.
In closing, PACU Chair for the Programs Committee, Dr. Jose Francisco B. Benirez thanked the delegates for a very engaged participation and bid them farewell.
