LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – The pre-service teachers in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) attended the 2016 Students’ Congress themed “Pre-service Teacher Education and the K to Basic Education Program” on December 9, 2016.
The congress, attended by 700 participants in the region, was held simultaneously in NEAP-R for Cluster 1, with 155 participants from Saint Louis University, Kalinga State University, and Divine Word College; San Jose High School Gym for Cluster 2, with 295 participants comprising of the University of the Cordilleras, University of Baguio, Easter College, Baguio Central University, King’s College of the Philippines, Abra State Institute of Science and Technology, Saint Toni’s College and Ifugao State University; and the Cordillera Career Development College Gym for Cluster 3, with 250 participants covering Benguet State University, Mt. Province State Polytechnic College, Apayao State College and Cordillera Career Development College.
Moreover, the activity which was organized by the Teacher Education Council (TEC), through the Department of Education-CAR intended to enable the pre-service students to be more passionate and committed in their chosen field and be updated on the K to 12 Basic Education Program including its framework and features. In addition, it aimed to help the teacher education institutions inform their students on developments in basic education curriculum and current policies, programs, activities and projects of DepEd.
Francisco C. Copsiyan, Education Program Supervisor, emphasized in his presentation the importance of employing classroom assessment methods that are consistent with curriculum standards since the DepEd uses a standard- and competency-based grading system.
Danilo L. Cudiamat, Principal of Flora National High School, warned the participants during his discussion on contextualization in the K to 12 curriculum, to watch out for derogatory words. According to Cudiamat, contextualizing the curriculum means teaching the competencies that students really need to survive, thinking of different ways to educate learners, and implementing diverse curricula from a singular curriculum. “To be effective in the teaching profession, teachers should understand the cultural backgrounds, interests, and identities of their students and capitalize on these,” Cudiamat added.
On the other hand, Dr. Emilia N. Faustino, Chief Education Supervisor, started her discussion on National Competency-Based Teachers Standards (NCBTS) by warming the hearts of the participants when she said “I wish I could persuade every teacher to be proud of his/her occupation−not conceited or pompous, but proud. People who introduce themselves with the shame remark that they are ‘just teachers’ give me to despair in my heart.” She cited that the NCBTS defines effective teaching as being able to help all types of students learn the different learning goals in the curriculum. “I beg you to stop apologizing for being a member of the most important profession in the world. Instead, draw yourself up to your full height, look at anybody squarely in the eye and say ‘I am a teacher,’” Faustino concluded.
Dr. Brenda B. Corpuz, College of Education Dean, Technology Institute of the Philippines, stressed that there is no substitute for serious preparation. She oriented the pre-service teachers on preparing for the Licensure Examination for Teachers through engaging them in a reflection with a series of questions posed.
The congress proved that despite cultural diversity among the pre-service teachers, they were united as they actively participated in the various activities.
By MARLYN POKING-WACNAG