CITE holds the first Annual Education Summit for Pre-service teachers

Anchored on the principles of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education), Goal 8 (Decent Work & Economic Growth), Goal 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and Goal 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), the College of Innovative Teacher Education (CITE) held its first annual educational summit with the theme Future Ready Teachers: Navigating the Evolving Philippine Education Landscape last April 24, 2024, at the UMak’s Auditorium.

Faculty members, industry partners, and pre-service teachers from CITE were invited to engage in an insightful discussion relevant to the progressive changes that currently mold Philippine education. Esteemed resource speakers shared their knowledge and expertise centered on the issues, policies, and research findings that urge innovation in curriculums, pedagogies, and teacher standards to achieve the quality education that Filipino learners deserve.

The informative deliberation started with the distinguished keynote speaker, Dr. Dalisay G. Brawner, University of Makati Professorial Chair 2023, who provided a comprehensive timeline of the evolution of education trends– beginning with the industrialization period until the twenty-first century. Dr. Brawner explored the contributing factors that led to the transformation of the learning system and educational provisions in which she highlighted the distinction in teaching methods and instructional materials used throughout the history of education. She also provided a brief background of the type of learners present in the twenty-first century by describing the characteristics of Generation Z and Generation Alpha including their expected competencies.

Dr. Brawner also touched on Education 5.0, also known as the new paradigm of learning, that advocates a student-centered approach in classrooms and the vital role of the emerging DepEd Futures Unit in ensuring its successful implementation. Throughout her discussion, the importance of continuous development of frameworks to meet the needs of learners is the key principle in understanding the integration of new ideas and new advancements in education such as the MATATAG Curriculum.

The first plenary speaker, Mr. Ulysses Bert Vasquez, Makati Science High School’s Department Head for Araling Panlipunan and Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao, continued the discourse by sharing the primary cause that prompted the development and operationalization of the MATATAG Curriculum in Philippine education– the drastic decline in the literacy and numeracy rate of Filipino learners during and after the pandemic.

Results from the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) were one of the bases used to track and evaluate the performance of learners in literacy and numeracy areas. With the increasing knowledge gaps, urgency is required to bridge the growing distance between the learners’ needs and the effectiveness of the curriculum. Thus, the development of MATATAG Curriculum entered the educational landscape in the Philippines. The MATATAG Curriculum has four fundamental components that serve as the foundation for the solution of the learning crises. These four are:

MAke the curriculum relevant to produce competent and job-ready, active,
and responsible citizens;

TAke steps to accelerate delivery of basic education facilities and services;

TAke good care of learners by promoting learner well-being, inclusive education, and a positive learning environment; and

Give support to teachers to teach better.

According to Mr. Vasquez, these four components chiefly address the growing exigencies in learners’ development of foundational skills– literacy, numeracy, and socio-emotional skills. Since the MATATAG curriculum focuses on the primary competencies, it has decongested the K-12 curriculum– allowing gradual and holistic growth of learners facing difficulties in comprehension.

However, the resource speaker noted that the evident and reliable results of the MATATAG curriculum can only be obtained after at least a decade. Mr. Vasquez strongly claimed that such changes need time, constant monitoring, and evaluation to see the actuality of the desired results. Through his discourse, attendees understood deeply the significance of the new curriculum and the importance of upholding its values as educators to help Filipino learners receive quality education.

With educators doing most of the groundwork in delivering the new curriculum, possessing the necessary qualifications in teaching is a vital attribute. The second plenary speaker, Ms. Karen Villanueva, Public Schools District Supervisor (PSDS) of the Schools Division Office of Pasig City, defined the Professional Qualifications Framework (PQF) and elaborated on the importance of meeting the established standards to guarantee the success and well-being of both the learners and educators in the academe. Ms. Villanueva: “The employers can support the government as we move towards aligning the curriculum with the current and future skills requirements of the industries.”

She also shared the legal bases that support the establishment of PQF as well as the overview of the Philippine Education System and Training System. Ms. Villanueva essentially talked about the benefits of having the PQF as one of the means of fostering positive outcomes in the implementation of the MATATAG curriculum. Through her exploration of the conversation, the value of setting standards revealed its meaningful role in attaining the goals of the ever-changing educational landscape.

Dr. Ali Anudin, Senior Program Manager of the Research Institute for Teacher Quality (RITQ), was the third plenary speaker who shared about the Philippine Professional Standards for Teachers (PPST). He described the function and purpose of PPST. He shared important observations and relevant results from research focusing on teacher quality and teacher efficacy. Dr. Anudin expounded on the topic by discussing the role of teachers in ensuring that learners are equipped with knowledge and skills beneficial in the globally competitive industry.

He also regarded the significance of educators having sufficient skills, competencies, attitudes, and will to carry out teaching responsibilities, especially in putting into practice innovative instruction like the MATATAG curriculum. Dr. Anudin ended the productive session with an empowering quote: “The quality of an education system cannot exceed the quality of its teachers.” (McKinsey and Co., 2007) reminding every educator that their role serves a great purpose in shaping minds and building characters.

The first-ever CITE Education Summit 2024 concluded with a tight embrace towards innovation. The interactive discourse granted the participants the opportunity to apprehend and recognize the inevitable changes we have to undergo to serve our nation well. This annual gathering in CITE will continue to provide a thriving space for educators and pre-service teachers to sharpen their wit and enhance their perspectives toward quality education through intellectually stimulating discussions.

 

Written by: Erica Martin – CITE