Monday, December 27, 2010

Japan Educational System

Professor :        Olga Alonsabe, Ph. D.                                 
Student :           Linda D. Saab
Subject :            Comparative Studies of Educational System
Date  Assigned:  Dec.4,2010

Dear Dr. Olga
            I find it worthy to know the educational system of Japan.  As we all know  we were under  Japanese regime from 1942 to 1945 .Japanese people are part of our past. Japanese  government made reparation through Japan International Cooperation Agency( JICA) Projects   like buildings ,comfort rooms etc.  Japanese educational system  passed through several pattern of government .In 1868,she pattern after that of  German and French Model which is more of Science education. After the second world war ,she patterned the educational system in America.
            I learned that the U.S is the model for the school system and that France was the model for the centralized administration system and the school district system. There was school fees before but it was abolished to increase the participation rate and a system of automatic progression was adopted. The Japanese Education is 6-3-3-4. The first nine years is compulsory education , grades 1-6    Elementary, Grade 7 to 9- Junior High School, Grades 10 to 12 Senior High School . They have no drop outs students  because of automatic progression at elementary and junior high school. Over 90% of all students also graduate from high school and over 40% from university or junior college. The government provides lunch for the students so the students health are being taken care of .Healthy people   are  productive citizens. There report card is descriptive. They give attention to teach and use their language which Niponggo. There class schedule starts at 8:30 and end at 3:30. With in this schedule includes  Lunch and tooth brushing , recess cleaning, self-study. I learned that their educational system is effective because their progress is evident . The government strictly implement the policies and promote love .


Reflection of R.A. 9155(Championing Change and Innovation for School Success)

Capitol University
Cagayan de Oro  City

Professor:      Olga Alonsabe, Ph.D.
Student :       Linda D. Saab
Subject :        Management of School Leadership
Date  Assigned:  Dec.4,2010
Reflection on Republic Act 9155
Championing Change and Innovation for  School  Success
With the acceleration in the implementation of  School-Based Management (SBM)  a key component of Basic Education Sector Reform Agenda of  BESRA (R.A .9155), it becomes a challenge to all school administrators.  School-Based Management is the decentralization of decision-making authority to schools. At the school level, school heads, teachers, and students work together with community leaders, and local government, officials and other stakeholders to improve school performance. School improvement and school effectiveness have become a major concern of education authorities, policy makers, administrators and teachers seeking to reform existing education systems. The  authority ,responsibility  and accountability  (AURA ) is a challenge given to empower principals.
Q. Your leadership as principal in a low performing school due to mismatch, lack of supervision  lack of teacher’s commitment and lack of parents support.
According to the research school effectiveness has a high correlation with the principal . It has been said that : “Where the principal goes, goes the school” An effective principal  is considered to be a necessary precondition for an effective school.  It is expected that the change in incremental . The changes for school improvement and development plan is  reflected in the mission and vision crafted by stakeholders   . As principal I have abide  system  for the good of  all through a series of small steps  but not to  depart from the past.
In a situation where in the school has mismatch teachers, I have to conduct assessment as to their strength, weakness, opportunities and threats . With the result, it is expected that the change is incremental . Assessment result  will be made as baseline for learning management programs like the training needs. I made  use of  Competency Based Teaching Standard (CBTS) .Teaching staff will convene as to    their teaching loads. I  have to re arrange the loads that would pave the way in line with their area of expertise .This year as part of school innovation, I implemented change though teachers concern are resistant for the change but I insisted to push through for the improved performance and betterment of school as a whole . I re arrange teachers but not in all grade levels , to suit to their level of capabilities and potentials. Say for instance as  per observation and result of performance she’s not effective teacher in grade one and the other one is not effective in grade six  so there’s a need to implement change . I believe learning is a continuous process so  I have to guide them by providing  necessary materials for her to study or  recommend for trainings and seminars in line with her present load and also encourage to enroll course in line of her present teaching loads. It would be embarrassing on her part to display unethical behavior because of  being mismatch .
As elementary school principal, I felt that I still have to study and learn more to acquire more knowledge and skills for I cannot give what I do not have.  I  have been trying to demonstrate skills to influence teachers , internal and external stakeholders. The best thing I can do is to help by mentoring, coaching and collaborating.   Leithwood, Louis , Anderson, & Wahlstrom (2004) suggest that effective leadership plays a significant role on pupils’ achievement. As  perceived , among the reasons is the different ways of seeing or perceiving things that take place at school as part of the supervisory activities . The acceptance of and interaction with the supervisory practice, i. e the techniques, methods, and models become a challenge as empowered principal.    As a  routine checking of teachers  lesson plan is done daily. Monthly  schedule for daily classroom observation is being posted in the bulletin . In practice , I was not able to observe always  teachers as scheduled due to other activities to be attended to in line of my work. I adopted Walkthrough approach for the performer teachers and clinical supervision for the teacher who needs it. To reduce   the drop out rate, retention rate ,survival rate and participation rate , needs serious concern. To improve the  academic performance, like innovations for reading , academic activities like MTAP, YES-O, and others . Quarterly assessment in reading was conducted to make innovations for the improved performance in reading from non-reader to a reader, remedial readings   from frustration level to instructional enforce enhancement activities  and from instructional to independent the  enrichment activities. For the school updates and  other things are  being posted in bulletin board like  teacher’s absences, percentage of enrolment , accomplishments, class schedules, teachers’ teaching load. Every good performance is owned by them ,I felt that they  are  very proud of  being part of an organization that is performing well.
          As expected, the result of assessment will be compared to actual classroom situations. I have to monitor her strength and weakness . They are provided copies of Criterion-Referenced Supervision so it is expected that teachers  comply some if not all during observation. Per observation, for the teacher whom I observed to be devoted , committed  who tried her very best to teach and produce good performance not only academic but also building character, I have a walkthrough supervision. For  the teacher whom I observed need clinical supervision, I do so.   For the mismatch teacher, I influence her to have positive mental attitude towards her loads.  
Internal and external stakeholders’ support and cooperation depends upon how the principal influence them. I believe  by being honest in our daily lives,  practicing  what we preach, and  we walk the talk would radiate to others. If the principal is transparent, has credibility , integrity and capability then knowingly and unknowingly would influence stakeholders ,contaminating others in the community for possible support needed for the improvement pupils ‘ performance  and the  development   school  as a whole.
As mentor I have to go father to discharge  duties and responsibility to educate parents during meetings that they are partners for quality  education  and that education starts at home.  Internal stakeholders would influence external stakeholders the concept that education is everybody’s business; tripartite (school, home and community) hand in hand work together  for the realization of the common goal.



Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Comparative Studies in Educational System




Capitol University
Cagayan de Oro City
                                                                                                                        Nov. 20,2010 
Dear  Dr. Olga,
            I appreciate very much of  our class discussions in comparative study in educational system . I would like to thank you for discussing K+ 12 Curriculum. It enhanced my understanding about this  hot issue .It’s really a high time to change the curriculum  because it has plenty of evidences for it’s curriculum dysfunction . Like the result of National Achievement Test , the jobless Filipinos and the deteriorating of Filipino culture and values. As educators commented about the congested curriculum, inadequate preparation of High School, mismatch to labor and economic market. Mostly, our college graduates don’t have the avenue for jobs. They could not be easily hired abroad because of the age . Graduates in the Philippines are  too young compare to the standard of world market. The Basic Education program affect much of the human development of Filipino children K+12 years means Kindergarten and 12 years of elementary and secondary.
Being enrolled in this subject is a I  beneficial one. I am updated with the current issues as far as DepED is concerned and it’s  a great avenue to express my experiences , knowledge and abilities that in one way or the another  learning takes place . I would also be continuously leaning from other especially  to you  Dr. Olga. I would like to recognize you effort in uploading the educational videos .The stories   really  inspired me and made me  reflect which  I also shared it to other principals and I believe could change ones perspective knowingly and unknowingly.   I know that we will continue to become innovative partners of society in quest for quality education.
God bless you and your family always!


Capitol University
Cagayan de Oro City

Professor : Olga Alonsabe, Ph. D.

Student : Linda D. Saab

Subject :   Comparative Studies of Educational Sytem

Date Assigned : Nov.20,2010
A speech to be delivered to the General Parent Teachers Association Meeting
            To our young energetic Barangay Capt. Teodulo D. Pabatao ,to our very supportive GPTA President Mr. Joseph B. Abol, to our young and generous GPTA Auditor Mrs. Corazon B. Abucay,to the President of alumni association Mrs. Nanette Tarnate, The student pupil government Kate Tricia Lagunay to our cooperative parents , devoted teachers  ,ladies and gentlemen.
            Our national hero ones said that “ Youth is the hope of fatherland” I want to ask you about our observation about our youth, can we expect something from them ? Do they posses values worthy for emulation to the generations to come? Who among you here have children already graduated? After graduation , do they have avenues for job?  Have you hear about K+12 ? Yes thank you  for that . Did you understand what K+12 is all about? I hope you will listen to be able to understand it well so that you will also be the walking advertisement of this proposed change of curriculum. K12 is enhanced curriculum 12 years na ang Basic Education Program that is Kindergaten + 12 years in elementary and secondary education. In short additional years to equip our children for the necessary skills and abilities to be employed in the market world. Sa Pilipinas lamang mayroong 10 years in basic education. Sa mga lugar katulad ng Brunie, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand ,Vietnam ay may 12 years  Basic Education. I have a friend her daughter who is a licensed nurse did not qualify to work abroad because of her age. Psychologists and educators say that children under 18 are generally not emotionally prepared for entrepreneurship or employment  .In our present system there is a mismatch in the labor and education markets. The graduates in the Philippines are not automatically recognized as professionals abroad.
            The advantages of this Enhanced curriculum is that every graduate of K+12 Basic Education is ready to take his place as productive  and responsible member of society. Graduates will possess competencies and skills relevant to the job market so that our graduates will be prepared for higher education, better to start their own business and they could now be recognized abroad. Ang klase sa atong  edukasyon layo ra sa laing nasud. Pina agi niining K+12, kindergarten,unom ka tuig sa elementayra, upat ka tuig sa junior high school,(Grades 11 to 12) duha ka tuig sa senior high school. The two years in senior high school will allow specializations in science and technology, music and arts, agriculture and fisheries, sports, business and entrepreneurship . Sa lagtod nga pagkasulti mao kini ang K-6-4-2 Model, 6 years modawat sa diploma, 4 years junior high school modawat gihapon og diploma ug usab ang 2 years nga senior high school. A full 12 years of basic education will eventually be required for entry into tertiary level education. Parents and stakeholders maybe you are still in doubt to this program . Ang sabi sa ating pangulo “ Tao ang Boss” Anuman ang opinion at kuro-kuro ninyo ay pwede nating pag usapan. What is important that the government officials are trying their  best to improve the quality of  educational system  of the Philippines for the betterment of all Filipinos and the generations to come.  I would like to say thank you for listening mabuhay ang Pilipino , mabuhay ang Pilipinas !
Prepared by:    LINDA D. SAAB
                                Principal



Professor :        Olga Alonsabe, Ph. D.                                 
Student :           Linda D. Saab
Subject :            Comparative Studies of Educational System
Date  Assigned: Nov. 28,2010


Dear Dr. Olga,
In the past I was pessimistic of contest  or the idea of comparing because it is said  in the scripture “ Do not compare yourself to others you maybe less or more than what  you expect”.  I just work to the best I can and feel the contentment of the things I have achieved. I don’t want to be compared to other teacher or administrator because I feel that I am unique and we have individual  potentials  bestowed   by  God .
This era,  data are being gathered and  compared  like the test results, nutritional status , grades, salaries and for many other activities.  I am now beginning to understand the significance of comparative studies to analyze  that our work is unique and by comparing the result to our previous work would create challenge in us  to improve our work and at the same time if we compare it to others, we  feel  challenged to strive for better result that would influence others thereby contaminating  others to strive for more   improvement/ development of themselves and for the society as  whole. Through this, I  will be able to recognize the strength and weaknesses. With this, weaknesses could be given attention/ focus to address to get the desired result. One would find that what is happening in our home, society and nation is better to stimulate for more researches and solutions that would improve the living condition of our country  to have practical reform and better school system. And a desirable attitudes for the benefits of all people.   
            As I enroll this subject I begun to understand the significance of comparing for the improvement and better result like   education in the Philippines. There is a need to compare the educational system from one country to another to have better insights and for the improvement of the daily tasks. Also to review the system to measure effectiveness and  for better implementation  in order to  open for all  new opportunities for the school to address the need of society.  It is in comparing that we can see the difference and to embrace it positively that would give much effort for the development  and improvement  to have better school, community and society as a whole.