WITH just a few weeks away from the official start of the school year for public schools, teachers at Mandaue City Comprehensive National High School are working hard to be ready for the school year.

Teachers are busy building their skills to manage online classes through online trainings and dry-runs of online classes. They’ve also been working on developing engaging digital lessons for their students.

For the past few weeks, Teacher Fedila Mayol has placed a lot of effort and care in making sure that all self-learning kits are being printed and ready for their students. “[We need to make sure] that everything is done before the deadlines set by the school administrator,” she said.

Printing is never an easy task with the sheer amount of materials that need to be printed. But with the joint support from all teachers and the community, the school is steadily getting through the printing requirements.

Partners and supporters for schools during these times are critical, Teacher Fedila notes. Organizations and supporters help schools through these challenging times as schools face more costs for printing and reproducing materials.

The shift towards a blended learning environment definitely is a challenge. This is why the whole school community is needed in supporting the education of the learners.

“As for the case how blended learning can be unpacked for our learners, the call for the support of direct stakeholders, the parents and guardians [is important],” shared Teacher Fedila.

While the tasks remain, Teacher Fedila shares that she and her family also keep themselves busy by helping others. While partners and supporters continue to help the schools, she notes that other vulnerable communities continue to need help during the pandemic.

“One of those people who are in need are the street dwellers who couldn’t even get a single meal. My family was able to give meals to street dwellers and frontliners,” shared Teacher Fedila.

Teacher Fedila, best known through her camp name “Katsa”, shared that her experience with the RAFI Center for Leaders has helped her become a better educator and cope with the new normal.

“I am able to recognize and cope up with the new normal.  Just like the dragon or the courses faced during the camp, there were frustrations and disappointments along the process but on top of it, was that sense of fulfillment and success to our duties and responsibilities, and passion as I serve as an educator,” said Teacher Fedila. “I’m able to communicate effectively and collaborate well with regards to the preparation and implementation of the learning modalities not just to my fellow teachers but most importantly to my student,” she added.

For the month of September, the RAFI Center for Leaders honors our teachers in celebration of National Teachers’ Month. We recognize the dedication they put into their work in taking care of and teaching our young learners.

Text by Elisabeth Baumgart; Graphics Edit Marlon Perilla, RAFI Center for Leaders

The RAFI Center for Leaders provides learning and development programs that equip leaders and enable communities through world-class, safe, powerful learning experiences. The RAFI CFL headquarters are located in the scenic mountains of Balamban, Cebu at the Kool Adventure Camp, the country’s first and fully-dedicated adventure education facility.

CEBU, SEPTEMBER 16, 2020 – As the Philippines enters month 9 of the Covid-19 pandemic, schools around the country are adopting social distancing measures by implementing blended and distance learning. To help public school teachers adjust to this New Normal, the Education Development Unit of Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI-EDU) recently concluded a virtual training session in collaboration with Coalition for Better Education (CBE). The four-day training program was the sixth run of CBE’s Best Series Online: Smart Ways to Teach from Home Training Program.

Held via Zoom on September 3-4 and September 7-8, the program featured topics on Remote Learning, Project-Based Learning (PBL) Approaches, and SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) 2030 Integration. It also introduced tools for facilitating distance learning.

Participants were required to develop a PBL project for the coming school year, focusing on SDGs 2030 as a theme. Upon completion of the project plan, they will earn a Certificate of Completion.

A total of 22 school heads and teachers joined the virtual training, representing RAFI’s ICT Center of Excellence Program, as well as this year’s top five recipient schools of RAFI’s Seal of Excellence in Education Development (SEED). SEED is RAFI’s annual search for high-performing elementary and secondary schools from various DepEd divisions in Cebu.

As the Philippines weathers the Covid-19 pandemic, every aspect of Filipinos’ lives, including education, is undergoing significant changes. Digital tools, continuous learning, and multi-sector collaboration will help educators adapt to the current circumstances and provide quality learning experiences for their students.

About Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. – Education Development

The Education Development Unit of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI-EDU) helps in the formation of effective learning environments by providing high-quality, cost-effective school infrastructure and by capacitating school communities for the continuous improvement of learning outcomes.

About the Coalition for Better Education

Coalition for Better Education (CBE) was convened in April 2001 by Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc., the Aboitiz Group Foundation Inc., and Philippine Business for Social Progress. Composed of education stakeholders—the academe, students, parents, government, non-government organizations, and business organizations—CBE is committed to its vision of creating empowered learning communities.

The Education Development Unit of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI-EDU) helps in the formation of effective learning environments by providing high-quality, cost-effective school infrastructure and by capacitating school communities for the continuous improvement of learning outcomes. 

AFTER a successful dry run of Carnaza National High School’s (CNHS) Printed Module Instruction Delivery system, the school is busy ensuring all bases are covered for a smooth transition into the new normal of instruction and learning.

With homes having little to none access to internet or electricity, most parents opted for the printed modular learning instruction modality. CNHS served as the pilot implementer of the division for the Printed Modular Instruction Delivery system earlier in July. It was recognized locally and nationally for its successful delivery efforts.

Part of its preparations included working closely with parents and the community to ensure the smooth implementation of the delivery system. During the dry run, the school worked with the Sangguniang Kabataan to help in the distribution and pick-up of Sugbo Learning Boxes to designated drop-off and pick-up points.

During the course of the dry run, teachers and division personnel conducted house-to-house visits and monitored the progress of learners. Teachers were quick to provide support when challenges arose.

“To make the school ready for the school opening, we are currently preparing all the modules, teacher’s home tasks and other instructional materials to complete the learning packets for the Sugbo Learning Boxes,” shared School Head Rafael Beloria. He added that health protocols were also set to ensure the safety of teachers and parents.

Printing and the production of the Sugbo Learning Boxes remain a herculean task. A lot of work goes into the preparation of modules, printing and reproduction, and setting up of the learning boxes. The school continues to actively look for community support in covering their printing and production needs.

While the school works tirelessly in making sure that all materials and systems are in place as the school year officially opens in a few weeks’ time, they also work closely with parents to make sure they are ready to provide instructional support when needed at home.

“Orientation of parents/home tutors has also been done to make them aware of their roles and responsibilities while providing instructional support at home,” said Beloria.

As a lot of work still remains to be done, teachers from CNHS remain committed to ensuring that no learner gets left behind. Their commitment towards their learners has helped them discover innovative solutions to address challenges.

“My commitment to my job has helped me to face all the challenges.  My desire to help other people has pushed me to find ways with the help of the school’s internal and external stakeholders in order to continue the delivery of education despite of the pandemic we are facing today,” said Beloria.

Working closely with their immediately community and stakeholders has helped the school in its preparations for the school year. By engaging local purok, barangay, and municipal leaders, the school was able to set up appropriate systems to help facilitate the speedy set-up of their distance learning process. Engaging private stakeholders and actively looking for partnerships are critical in helping source materials and resources for the school.

His experience with the RAFI Center for Leaders has helped him thrive through these extraordinary times, shared Beloria. “The idea of team building has helped me a lot. Indeed, my experiences in KAC have of great impact in pushing me to achieve my goals,” he said.

For the month of September, the RAFI Center for Leaders honors our teachers in celebration of National Teachers’ Month. We recognize the dedication they put into their work in taking care of and teaching our young learners.

Text by Elisabeth Baumgart; Graphics Edit Marlon Perilla, RAFI Center for Leaders

The RAFI Center for Leaders provides learning and development programs that equip leaders and enable communities through world-class, safe, powerful learning experiences. The RAFI CFL headquarters are located in the scenic mountains of Balamban, Cebu at the Kool Adventure Camp, the country’s first and fully-dedicated adventure education facility.

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AS the world adjust to the new normal, Teacher Resdale regularly checks in with his students and makes sure they are all safe and have settled into their new lives.

Knowing the struggle of making adjustments and preparing for distance learning, Teacher Resdale offers his time to listen to his students’ concerns and helps find ways to ease their concerns.

“Some of the concerns raised have proven to be enlightening. In the conversations, I have realized that the individual struggles that each student experience before the pandemic have been amplified and made more complicated by the pandemic. The lack of gadgets, stable internet connection and the need for a family member to oversee studying add up to the struggles of a family that is already struggling financially or is still finding ways to function normally in the current situation very different from what we are used to. It has then become a personal advocacy to always look for ways to lighten this load,” shared Teacher Resdale Venz Palabrica.

 Teacher Resdale eases the struggle of communication by using different communication channels best suited for his students. Where possible, he stays in touch with them via Messenger, or tries to call and text students and their parents regularly.

As everyone waits for the official start of the school year, Teacher Resdale and his fellow teachers take extra effort in making sure they and their students are ready for distance learning.

“I attended webinars, discussed with colleagues and educator-friends on how to best adapt to the distance learning modalities that are now imposed upon all of us for health and safety reasons,” said Teacher Resdale. Teachers also completed online enrolment and virtual entrance examinations for their STEM grade levels.

He recently attended the RAFI SEED Chats which offered him a platform to share his own experience and listen to the stories and practices of other teachers in Cebu. “It is quite encouraging to know that the struggles I experience now are not just my one but shared by all teachers,” said Teacher Resdale.

A lot of works goes into the transition to distance learning and the struggle for schools and teachers, as they say, is real. Teacher Resdale notes that while they work from home now, the boundaries between work and home have disappeared. The constant battle with fluctuating internet connections prove to be a challenge to easily connect with colleagues at times.

While the struggles remain real, Teacher Resdale sees a silver lining in the whole situation.  “Because of the novelty of our situation, there is much room for creativity and flexibility in the way I have to solve problems, and this excites me,” he said.

Planning, creative thinking, and innovation are critical during these times, shared Teacher Resdale. His RAFI Center for Leaders experience 11 years ago helped him thrive through these extraordinary items.

“If there is one KAC takeaway that I find most helpful now, among the many lessons that I took home with me from my camp experience 11 years ago, it is that dragons, no matter how tall and fearsome, can always be conquered,” said Teacher Resdale. “KAC did not teach me that challenges in life are always easily solved. In truth, my stay at the camp taught me that the more meaningful ones are, more often than not, also the more difficult. The challenges I face now, along with my co-teachers, my students and their parents, as well as the extended school community, are more than difficult. However, I have faith that sound planning, execution, evaluation, and recalibration of steps, we are already adapting to the New Normal,” he said.

For the month of September, the RAFI Center for Leaders honors our teachers in celebration of National Teachers’ Month. We recognize the dedication they put into their work in taking care of and teaching our young learners.

Text by Elisabeth Baumgart; Graphics Edit Marlon Perilla, RAFI Center for Leaders

The RAFI Center for Leaders provides learning and development programs that equip leaders and enable communities through world-class, safe, powerful learning experiences. The RAFI CFL headquarters are located in the scenic mountains of Balamban, Cebu at the Kool Adventure Camp, the country’s first and fully-dedicated adventure education facility.

The pandemic has forced institutions across the globe to rethink strategies and the way they do business. Schools were also not spared from redesigning the way they deliver continued learning to their learners in the new normal.

“A lot of essential things related to teaching and learning must be in place to ensure that the delivery of services to our clientele – the learners, is not compromised when the new school year begins. It has also brought initiatives of retooling and equipping the teachers of the teaching practices responsive to the so-called “new normal,” shared Dr. Gregorio Cyrus Elejorde, Schools Division Superintendent of the Department of Education Division Office of Dumaguete City.

The switch towards the new normal offered the much needed nudge towards innovation. The pandemic has inspired the division to develop new programs and projects that help in the transition towards distance learning. The Schools Division Office of Dumaguete City introduced the “Abot Ka Namin Program” which identified several initiatives to make education accessible to learners in the division.

Under the program is the “Project TEAMbayayong” which highlights the importance of building and managing relationships with stakeholders. As resources remain to be a growing challenge to the education department, the project cultivates strong relationships with the various stakeholders in the community.

The division also introduced the “Material Recovery Kiosk”, a station where learners can easily access offline learning materials closer to their homes.

“[This] seeks to ensure offline access to learning materials as learning materials will be made available at stations a lot closer to the learners’ thereby significantly reducing cost,” shared Dr. Elejorde.

Among other initiatives include the Learning Resource Portal for easy access of learning materials for teachers and the “2 Subjects in one-day Curriculum.”

As the new normal has lead an exciting road towards innovation and creativity, the Education department and schools still face pressing challenges.

“Resources will always be a major challenge for us. Even during normal times, resources will always be limited. Much more during the pandemic. What we need in normal situation may even be 10 times more during the pandemic,” explained Dr. Elejorde. He added that creativity was the key in ensuring they hit their goals.

While the pandemic may have changed the way they do business, Dr. Elejorde said their goal of taking care of every learner under their wing remained the same. With a little more creativity and innovation, the Schools Division Office of Dumaguete City continues to roll out programs to help reach every learner.

In preparation for the school year, the division rolled out its Academic Panda program, a mobile application which gives learners online access to books, learning materials, forms, and other online services that the schools and the division office regularly provide. This makes all the necessary information and documentation available right at their fingertips.

“It is a material delivery system where a learner could request what he or she needs and gets his or her needs either in softcopy or hardcopy,” shared Dr. Elejorde. If physical delivery was required for hardcopy materials, the local school mobile unit would be activated to deliver materials to any part of the city.

The division has likewise partnered with globally acclaimed education service platform, Edmodo, for the training of all teachers and students. It also set up a “DepEd Dumaguete Cares” social media platform that offers special counseling sessions with licensed counselors.

A lot of work has been placed into ensuring that every learner in Dumaguete City would receive the quality education they deserve in the new normal. Despite the new challenges, the division remains thankful to its partners who have helped them through these tough times.

“Without them, our sector might be in a very grim position to offer continuing education. With them, things seem a little less difficult. We have people to help us. We have people to think with us all the way. That even make life even more exciting,” said Dr. Elejorde.

Sustainable partnerships, thorough planning and co-creation of projects and initiatives is the secret sauce of all the projects and initiatives of DepEd Dumaguete. By working together as one education community, projects become more sustainable, shared Dr. Elejorde.

While the challenges remain real and continue to stay, Dr. Elejorde notes that his experience at the RAFI Center for Leaders is extremely helpful during these times.

“KAC is very helpful. It helps me shape my character in a way. It helps me redefine my focus as a leader. It in fact, help me discover things about myself that I haven’t thought I have in the past. The trainings I have from KAC come handy in many ways,” said Dr. Elejorde who fondly goes by the camp name “Gregorio Del Pilar.”

With the opening of the school year just weeks away, schools across the country are hard at work in ensuring the transition towards distance learning. The story of DepEd Dumaguete reminds us of the importance of building sustainable and lasting partnerships with our local school community and finding innovative solutions together in these extraordinary times.

For the month of September, the RAFI Center for Leaders honors our teachers in celebration of National Teachers’ Month. We recognize the dedication they put into their work in taking care of and teaching our young learners.

Text by Elisabeth Baumgart; Graphics Edit Marlon Perilla, RAFI Center for Leaders

The RAFI Center for Leaders provides learning and development programs that equip leaders and enable communities through world-class, safe, powerful learning experiences. The RAFI CFL headquarters are located in the scenic mountains of Balamban, Cebu at the Kool Adventure Camp, the country’s first and fully-dedicated adventure education facility.

WITH just a month away from the start of the school year, teachers at Pooc National High School are hard at work printing out modules and ensuring the seamless transition towards modular learning.

However, with over 1,000 students under their care, printing modules for each student is a gargantuan task. One student requires 30 pages for one subject module good for one week. With a study load of eight subjects and more than a thousand students to cater to, a lot of work goes into printing and reproduction on a weekly basis.

As the school continues with the heavy task of printing and preparing modules for their students, resources grow scarce in the school. One ream of bond paper would not be even enough for a week’s worth of modules for one student.

Despite the limited resources, Pooc National High School finds ways in ensuring the fast and efficient production of modules for their learners. Taping partners in the community proved to be a huge help to the school.

“As the Adapt-a-School Coordinator, I channeled our needs to different stakeholders who can help us. This is not limited to the LGU, but we also tapped the private sector to help in our module reproduction. We established networks and built harmonious relationships with them to ensure accountability with their donations,” shared Teacher Candice Grace Maque.

Teacher Candice worked closely with friends and contacts to help draw in donations for printers and much needed bond paper for printing of modules. With more than 1,000 students to take care of, the school is in constant need of ink, paper, and more printers. The task seems very much like a small printing press.

“The new learning modality adapted by our school brought a lot of challenges in terms of equipment and resources. Since we chose modular learning, we need to reproduce modules for our students the soonest time we can. We are pressed to continue to find means so that no learners will be left behind in this digital divide we are experiencing now,” said Teacher Candice.

As the need for resources remains, Teacher Candice and the rest of the hardworking teachers of Pooc National High School continue to find ways to raise resources and ensure the fast production of subject modules. They are committed in ensuring that every learner under their care receives their subject modules.

“I am inspired that many are actually willing to help. We just have to know how and where to ask for help. There are resources around the community. We just have to know how to tap them,” explained Teacher Candice.

It truly takes a village to raise a child. And with more than 1,000 students to take care of at Pooc National High School, it takes the whole community to help a school and its learners through these extraordinary times. Teacher Candice notes that any kind of help extended to schools really goes a long way. Resources like ink, bond paper, and printers are critical during these times.

While a lot still remains to be done, Teacher Candice says her experience at the RAFI Center for Leaders has inspired her to take on the challenges that lie ahead with an unwavering spirit.

“[MY] KAC experience is a reminder to never stop believing. It has guided me to keep pushing forward even if the end is still unknown,” said Teacher Candice, who goes by the camp name ‘Dean.’ “This pandemic brought a lot of unanticipated events, but it has also taught us to find a gem in times of struggle. It may be difficult, but with perseverance, nothing can stop us,”

As schools across the country are busy preparing for the opening of the school year with modules to print and reproduce, and later distribute to their students, the story of Teacher Candice and the teachers of Pooc National High School, remind us to think of our schools and discover ways of how we can best help and support our local school community.

For the month of September, the RAFI Center for Leaders honors our teachers in celebration of National Teachers’ Month. We recognize the dedication they put into their work in taking care of and teaching our young learners.

Text by Elisabeth Baumgart; Graphics Edit Marlon Perilla, RAFI Center for Leaders

The RAFI Center for Leaders provides learning and development programs that equip leaders and enable communities through world-class, safe, powerful learning experiences. The RAFI CFL headquarters are located in the scenic mountains of Balamban, Cebu at the Kool Adventure Camp, the country’s first and fully-dedicated adventure education facility.