Embracing the Blessings of Other Places

A travel to San Juanico Bridge was worth remembering. The efforts of dynamic leaders are worth emulating.Connecting the gap between Leyte and Samar can be compared in  embracing our hearts to our neighboring places. Seeing the accomplishments and achievements in one place to the other  will make us understand that Filipinos have a distinct attitude to connect and be with others from birth to death. Visiting other places in the Philippines made me realize the uncommon blessings of our country.

Davao: A place to embrace

The  International Kids for Christ was held in Ateneo de Davao University last May 4-6 2012. Kids for Christ is a global ministry empowered by the Holy Spirit in molding young Christ-like leaders as instruments of hope and healing to families, society and the world.. The theme is " Bringing Kids to the Lord and building a bright new world.
  It is worth celebrating. Things take turn for the mutually beneficial. The Kids for Christ from other places explore the different activities that develop their potentials.Children were exposed to Christ like activities to develop in them the right values to develop love of God and to love one another. There were so many religious songs taught. Kids for Christ enthusiastically sing the songs.MOVE:  1st is Moved by God like Mam mary who say  YES to God.  Next is Moved for God that is they are expected to give all for God by their obedience and love for HIM.Finally the Moved with God . God wants us to go on mission with our families .
Luke 1:46

Reflection on the Components of Curriculum and Curricular Approaches

Capitol University

Cagayan de Oro City

Graduate Studies

Dear  Dr. Alonsabe,

               In our curriculum implementation class discussions, a school manager has a great role to influence teachers to have a conscious effort for the input, the process and the desired output for a better change. I learned that in the Hilda Taba ; Linear Model that curriculum and instruction are not separate independents component but contagious parts of a continuum or system. The first subsystem is the learning objectives which indicates the direction and intention of educational effort. For me goals  has  a broad meaning .Each person has silent goal in life to set  a  direction to take and as a  guide to move forward. In our daily walks of  life we have to plan, a continuous planning like   works to be done at home before leaving to the office, foods to prepare before meal time, and even the dress to wear. I have also a long range plan for personal development. For   the curriculum development  ,I am happy to know and learn the types of curriculum such as recommended curriculum, written curriculum, taught curriculum, supported curriculum, assessed curriculum, learned curriculum and the hidden curriculum. All the types of curriculum have a high intentions and  impact  to  address the various  needs of the students, school staff, parents that would  knowingly and unknowingly influence them to work for a greater heights of  academic  achievement , for improved performance and for development of the school and community as a whole. A school  vision and mission served as a guiding post which all educational effort  should be directed. As elementary principal , our goal is to produce the quality basic education following the curriculum set by DepED national. We need a curriculum development that is planned ,purposeful and progressive. The learning continuum provides objectives  / subject matter arranged from simple to the most complex as a process geared towards developing the  knowledge , skills and attitudes  and answering the need of every learner. The goals aims to develop the domains ;the cognitive, affective and psychomotor

The second sub system is the curriculum content or subject matter. Planning  the curriculum implementation  is expected to be subject -Centered and Learner-centered. Learning objective and learning content are sequenced to suit the maturity level and learning experiences and resources to produce quality outcomes. I also learned the basic principles to be followed in organizing the learning content; balance, articulation, sequence, integration and continuity. As what I observed and experienced the Revised Basic Education Curriculum (RBEC) of which it was also an observation of the many educators that the curriculum seems to be overloaded; too many subjects to cover, to many topics to teach ,unfortunately , the learners life is not compartmentalized. According to Comenius “ the teacher should teach less so that the student could learn more ” The subject matter overlaps  that there are many objectives need to tackle that the teacher has to be hurry in finishing the objectives to answer the needs of few fast learners while the majority slow learners were left behind. It has been said that the curriculum is a kilometer wide and one inch deep. For some, focused was given to few fast learners to become  contestants representing the school . Winning in such  contestants would mean glorifying achievement  to the teacher ,principal and the school.  In learner-centered  curriculum, it relates to the  reality the worthwhile to be taught  and learned . The science and humanities provide the basis of selecting the content  of school learning and the field of study known as “discipline” ;different areas  in the present curriculum like Communication arts, mathematics ,science, social studies ,Music , physical  and vocational education .

          The third subsystem I learned is the curriculum experience. There are instructional strategies and methods will be put into action the goals and the use of content in order to produce an outcome. There are time-tested methods, inquiry approaches and other emerging strategies field trips, experiments, computer programs and experiential learning which also form par in the repertoire of teaching. In the elementary level spiraling has been commonly used while in secondary its more on discipline . I am also with the concept that there is no perfect strategy and as stressed by expert in the book No Excuses “if a child cannot learn the way you teach then learn to teach the way the child learns”.

          The subsystem number four is about the curriculum evaluation. I agree that it is through evaluation that the curriculum can be determined its effectiveness and value for use. In the DepED, our concern is to make measurements about the student’s progress in the class , teachers effectiveness or to measure how well our school fairs with the rest or even how our country measures up to the international standards. Apart from measuring the cognitive or academic achievement of students, attitudes ,values, traits, mechanical skills and all other aspects of the learner as the we attempt to mold them into a well-rounded individual. I learned that there are approaches in curriculum to be applied in planning, implementing and evaluating such as Behavior  Approach, Managerial Approach, System  Approach and Humanistic Approach. As I analyzed it, I have not used a single approach in dealing with the staff but an integration across the approaches.

          I realized that as principal ,I have to be committed to spearhead in monitoring   the Teaching-Learning Process and Curriculum Development . The cycles of planning ,implementing and evaluating are tedious  tasks but  I have to give more focus on this atspects. The K-12 curriculum for me is designed to improve and develop the Filipino generations.  I would like to caught the concept from former US President Kennedy “ Do not ask what your country can do  for  you but ask what you can do for  your country”. I am optimistic that with this curriculum, the millennium generation will create  jobs rather than find jobs.

From now on , I will focus more on evaluation because in my previous years I am more in planning and implementing not so with evaluating. I have experienced about evaluation specially  in National Achievement Test and other unfavorable experiences as far as evaluation is concerned. As school administrator  I would take that as a learning experience to move forward to become an effective and efficient  school administrator  in the eyes of God. I will influence teachers to learn how to learn and how to be creative in the midst of limited resources . I might not be able to meet the standards and expectations of  the higher ups but I have aimed to be efficient and be effective   for the betterment of the generations.

Linda Saab

Is curriculum really deteriorating?

Capitol University

Cagayan de Oro City

Graduate Studies

 

Dear  Dr. Alonsabe,

               With the reading materials that you readily shared to us , I am thankful because I gained more knowledge about curriculum ,it’s meaning, purpose, foundations and  philosophy of great  philosophers  .Arthur Bestor (Essentialist), Schwabs, Robert M. Hutchin, Dewey, Caswell & Campbell, Smith Stanley & Shore , Marsh & Wills had greatly contributed the curriculum development. I find the significance in learning the maior foundations of curriculum ; perennialism, essentialism, reconstructionism,  and progressivism . It is also worth knowing the history of curriculum from Franklin Bobbit’s (1876-1956), Werrent Charters (1875-1952), William Kilpatrick (1871-1965), Harold Rugg (186-1960), Hollis Caswell ( 1902-1994) and Ralph Tyler (1902-1994) . Knowing the psychological foundations and theories from Edward Lee Thorndike, Hilda Taba, Ivan Pavlov, B.F. Skinner, Albert Bandura, Iean Piaget, Lev Vygolsky, Howard Gardner, Felder & Silverman, and Daniel Goleman  , it is proper to recognize  all great men and women who had showed the highest interest in the  development of curriculum for the benefit of human race.

Once one of the best in all of Asia, the education system of the Philippines has deteriorated significantly in recent years, both in terms of quality and access.  “ Is Philippine education really deteriorating?” This question challenged me to search . As I searched in the web I found some  reports and findings . Senator Angara said that in all international achievement tests, the Philippines is rated near the bottom in all subjects. "That is a reflected in the fast deterioration of our education standards both in public and private schools." Official achievement tests given to graduating high school students in the 2004-2005 school year showed that only 6.59 percent could read, speak and comprehend English well enough to enter college. Some 44.25 percent had no English skills at all. In the long run , if this deterioration in English competency continues, it will eventually affects our sending of human resources abroad. There is a big warning that the employment of Filipinos overseas will soon be overtaken by China and India whose citizens are becoming well-versed of the English language, both written and oral.

In a globalized economy, "English is a ticket to the future," the American and European chambers of commerce said, adding that only three out of 100 applicants meet proficiency standards of the outsourcing industry. Another comment from the Call Center Academy accent trainer Agence France Presse "Filipinos are pretty good but they still have lapses with their tenses, verb usage, subject-verb agreement — the basics," What might have caused the sudden decline? The Taglish language  (combination of Tagalog and English) is partly to be blamed when almost all of the young generation have accepted it as a standard hybrid language. English soaps are now being dubbed into Filipino and text messaging has evolved yet another form of language.

EDCOM  also reported that  there is a  slowing down in enrolment rates and the worsening drop-out rates  in the number of out-of-school children. In 2001, there were approximately 1.87 million out-of-school children with ages from 6-15 years old. In a matter of four years, in 2005, the number of out-of-school children has reached a staggering 3.1 million. And the quality of education is still way below standard. Achievement rates of elementary and high school students in National Achievement Tests remain far below the passing rate of 75 percent. The achievement rates for elementary students has slightly improved from school year (SY) 2000-2001 to SY 2005-2006 but are still far below the passing rate: 53.66 percent in Math, 46.77 in Science, 54.05 in English, 58.12 in Hekasi (Social Sciences), and 60.68 in Filipino. The achievement rates for secondary students are worse and have even worsened during the same period. The current rates are 47.82 percent in Math, 37.98 in Science, 47.73 percent in English, 40.51 percent in Filipino, and 47.62 percent in Araling Panlipunan (Social Sciences).It is then not surprising that the Philippines ranked 41st in Science and 42nd in Mathematics from among 45 countries by the Trends in International Math and Science Survey.

        The moratorium is contained in CHED Memorandum Order (CMO) No. 32, Series of 2010, issued on 30 September 2010 effective school year 2011-2012. The validation of the outcome of the Evaluation of Graduate Program in the Philippines (EGEP) confirmed the weakening of graduates from the business administration and teacher education program all over the country and the result of the Licensure Examination for Teachers and Nurses administered by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) also showed a gradual decline in the performance of teacher and nursing education graduates,”

According to the studies and of which I also realized that the fundamental causes of this decline are slow economic growth, inadequate government revenues and rapid population growth. Corruption and flawed management exacerbate the problem. These factors contribute to poor quality teacher training, shortage of teachers, overcrowded and under-equipped classrooms, increasing drop-out rates and insufficient access to education for the poor.

               In the Save Our School (SOS) for quality education, it is reported that  for 2004, the Department was given close to P109 billion, about 17 percent of the national budget. In   P97.3 billion or about 90 percent of the basic education budget went to Personal Services  or in plain language, to the salaries and allowances of our teachers and non-teaching personnel. This simply means that 90 percent of our budget is fixed expense and we cannot do anything about this, but to release our salaries to our hard-working teachers and personnel every 15th and 30th of the month. With 90 percent of  the  budget gone for our salaries and wages, what is left to the Department of developmental activities is only about 10 percent of the budget  measly in terms of proportion, but significant in terms of amount at P12 billion. This amount is spread thinly for key maintenance and operations and capital outlay expenditures, like classrooms and school buildings; textbooks; and trainings, among others.

               With the situation from now on, I will commit myself as instructional leader to have  high intention to influence teachers and parents to become  innovative that would  promote self-direction and total development as human being.

Linda

United States of America Educational System

Capitol University

Cagayan de Oro City

Comparative Studies

Educational System U.S.

( by Linda  D. Saab )

Date assigned: Feb.26,2011

Dear Dr. Olga,

               I would like to express my gratitude for the many things I learned from you and in our class which I am hopeful to translate my knowledge and skills to others. At first I am really hesitant to enroll this course for many reasonable reasons but along the way I am inspired and felt the need to learn more not only for my personal goal but to be of help  in  educational system in the Philippines.

 It cannot be denied that once we were under the United States Educational System during the American Regime. Some of our  forefathers were fluent in speaking English because their teachers were the Thomasites. I felt proud being a Filipino. I can understand what American people say but only few Americans can understand our dialect, the Tagalog and Bisaya.

I learned that U.S. Educational System is successful because it is their mother tongue and the implementers have been  striving for excellence and greatness. The government of United States cater from “womb to tomb”.  The educational system has three types; pre-school, junior High School, secondary High School and University  . The pre-school are aged 3-5.  The school day begins at 9:00 and finishes at 3:00 pm that includes morning break, lunch break and afternoon break. The elementary years lasts for 6 years. The junior High school is two years. These years guarantees the student basic learning in Mathematics, history, music, and geography. Even the language is their mother tongue they are still into developing basic writing skill  and reading. In secondary school, it is expanded and deepened into science, civic education, foreign language and values. Students have four years in senior high school and must pass the public Scholastic Assessment Test to qualify for college and one has to study four years in college to get a degree in the universities. They have many prestigious universities which produced great men such as University in Belkely in Los Angeles, Harvard University in Cambridge , Massachusettes of which President Barack Obama graduated, Yale University, Princeton University in New jersey and many others. The U.S. government  has accreditation bodies to look into sustained excellence to all the universities.

As school administrator and doctoral student in the Philippines ,I realized I still have a long way to go to level up the standard in United States.  I need to continue to learn, to embrace the lifelong learning; the learning how to learn that is  developing my intelligences , and  to have positive personal attributes so that I may become an instrument to inspire and influence others to make a difference… a better Filipinos.

Very truly yours,

Linda

Educational System in Mexico

Capitol University

Cagayan de Oro City

Comparative Studies

Educational System in Mexico

( by Linda  D. Saab )

Date assigned: Jan.22,2011

Dear Dr. Olga,

            I learned that the Education is Mexico is compulsory , the  same in the Philippines. The accreditation of Private School is mostly regulated by Secretariat of Public Education. Mexican enrolling in their public school is free but for the foreigners they have to pay even in public school. Here in the Philippines public school is free from tuition even  for the  foreigners .Pre school is highly recommended but not mandatory. The basic education has three steps; the primary or primaria (grades 1-6)at the age of 6-12 yrs, the junior high school or secondaria (grades 7-9) at the age of 12 to 15 years then the high school (grades 10-12) at the age of 15 to 18 years. The high is a preparation for a job and a requirement to enter  college or university. After the basic education is the higher education. It is based on the US Educational Model and its structure was mostly patterned that of Bologma Process which is 2 years for undergraduate level (Licenciatura), 4 years for bachelor degree,2 years in master’s degree and 3 years for doctoral degree.

            The Mexican has 200 days of classes. It begins in the last week of August and ends in the first week of July. The primary has 4 and half hour while the secondaria has 7 hours per day. American or British English language  has 50-50 ratio. Spanish language is very important to them.

            I realized that the educational system varies in its implementation but the intention to educate citizens is the same .The concern of educators  from preschool or kindergarten, then  primary or elementary, secondary or high school , college , master’s and finally doctoral. The structure is the  same as pyramid the higher the level of education, the fewer avail or reach the peak.

            As principal, I have  to continue learning  so that I  have also something to share to the people whom I served. In my little way I can influence people to do better things for the improvement of school, community and society in general.

Your student,

Linda

Educational System in Africa

Capitol University

Cagayan de Oro City

Comparative Studies

Educational System in Africa

( by Linda  D. Saab )

Date assigned: Jan.22,2011

Dear Dr. Olga,

            I learned that like in many other countries Africa  has been undergoing major reforms of educational system to heighten educational qualities. They have 3 levels of education and are integrated in National qualification Framework  the South African Authority Act of 1996. The preschool has two groups ; the Pre Grade R (4yrs) and a Grade R(5 &6 yrs.). The primary Education has 3 years of senior primary phase. At this level children learn to read, write, calculate and the basic of second language. The subjects taught are the same in the Philippines. The secondary education is from grade 10 to 12 years old. Their classes is from Monday to Friday  starting at 8:00 am to 2:30 pm. Uniform is compulsory. The academic year is from January to December  split into 4 terms because of their season. Acceptance of their students  is based on “feeder zone” those homes near the school. Other applicants are accepted in first come first serve bases. Same in other countries students need to have certificate of completion and have to undergo standard examination  before one can be  accepted in the universities. In Higher Education  one has to wait at least a year after getting a degree to apply for a Master, Honour, or Ph. D. For  Master degree it takes 2 years and for Honor degree & Ph.D it would take  4 years.

            I realized that our educational system is most likely the same with  Africa .There’s a need to address the need in all ages the Education For All (EFA) Goal.  In Africa out 52 million children (CY2000) only 50.5  % enrolled in  29,386 primary and secondary schools.

            As educators , I need to  revisit the data of those  retained, and drop outs and make some steps to solve the differences. I also have to give more emphasis on the Education for All (EFA) to help increase the literacy rate if not totally be eliminated .

Your student ,

Linda