Tag Archives: SDG4

UPLB holds “Off the Street, On to School” program

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By Ladylove May B. Baurile

The Counseling and Testing Division (CTD) of the University of the Philippines Los Baños, along with the UPLB Gabay Volunteer Corps and Kairos band organized “Off the Street, On to School” program yesterday at the Student Union Lobby for the street children and their parents in Los Baños.

Separate programs were prepared for both children and their parents. A talent-values camp highlighted the children’s program, wherein members of the UPLB Gabay Volunteer Corps helped children showcase their talents like singing, dancing, acting and drawing. The volunteers and members of the Rotary Club of Los Baños also gave testimonials and snacks afterwards.

Meanwhile, the seminar for parents was facilitated by Dr. Leticia Afuang, Office of Student Affairs (OSA) director, and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

“Ginagawa namin ang ‘Off the street, On to School’ para ma-encourage namin ang mga bata, particularly mga street children sa Los Baños na nagbebenta ng sampaguita at mga mani, na mag-aral… kaya nagbibigay tayo ng school supplies… para makita rin nila ang importansya ng pag-aaral (We hold the ‘Off the street, On to School’ program to encourage children to study, especially those who live in the streets or those who spend time selling sampaguitas and peanuts…we give out school supplies as well for them to also see the importance of schooling),” said Gama Javier, a GABAY volunteer.

According to Dr. Erick Vernon Dy, counselor and head of UPLB Gabay Volunteer corps, the event aims at assisting parents and also to help them develop the passion of teaching education’s importance to their children.

Dance competition, training for indigent but academically excellent students, giving of books by the Kairos Band to Bernaldo Calara Elementary School and recognition for long-time supporters of the program were also done. At the end, the counselors and volunteers gave loot bags with school materials and clothing to the participating families.

“Basically gusto namin makatulong sa mga kabataan dito sa Elbi lalo na ngayong pasko kaya nga ako nagvolunteer dito kasi gusto ko yung ginagawa nila at naisip ko na isa rin iyon sa mga gusto kong gawin bilang isang kabataan (Basically, we wanted to help the children here in Los Baños especially now that it’s Christmas season… I volunteered for this event because I support what Gabay does and I also thought that this is one activity that I would want to pursue as part of the youth),” shared Cheska Bon, another volunteer.

The “Off th Street, on to School” outreach program is an annual event in UP Los Baños and is now in its 8th year.

UPLB Cagers triumphant in Chairman’s Cup 2012

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by Levi Verora

Los Baños, Laguna- The UPLB Men’s Basketball Varsity Team unleashed its full potential as it convincingly beat Team Yellow, 77-66 to capture the Chairman’s Cup title at the Copeland Gymnasium of UP Los Baños yesterday.

Team captain Gian Vergara led the balanced attack with 12 points while sophomore point guard Arvin Dela Peña added 11 in the team’s victory. The UPLB men’s squad opened the game with 9 straight points and never looked back. The varsity team sustained a double-digit lead until the 4th period and were able to fend off a comeback attempt by the Yellow Squad.

The Chairman’s Cup 2012 was organized by Mr. Vir Marilag of the Department of Human Kinetics. The participants were UPLB constituents, like faculty members, staff and community service brigade (CSB) members. Four teams participated in the competition: Team Yellow, Team Green, Team White and the UPLB Varsity Team. The UPLB Varsity Team bested the field with a perfect slate of 5 wins overall.

The Chairman’s Cup was organized to prepare the men’s squad for a tougher competition this upcoming State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association (SCUAA) tournament slated in January 10-15, 2012 in Mindoro.

The UPLB Men’s Basketball Varsity roster for A.Y. 2012-2013 will be bound for Mindoro for SCUAA 2013.

SK and 14K Lakas ng Kabataan celebrates first Youth’s Night

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by Kezia Grace Jungco and Nicolle Andrea Payuyo

Sanguniang Kabataan (SK) and 14K Lakas ng Kabataan held yesterday the first ever Youth’s Night at the Municipal Covered Court. It showcased the different talents of youth from the 14 barangays of Los Baños, Laguna.

According to Councilor Julius Moliñawe, president of the 14K Lakas ng Kabataan, Youth’s Night was organized for the youth to be able to have a venue for expressing themselves through their talents. Also, according to Adelbert Hornilla, Chapter Master of Brgy. Timugan, the event was an effort for the youth to avoid illegal drug use.

The event was participated by the 14K  Lakas ng Kabataan all over  Los Baños. Established in June 5, 2012, 14K has now grown to almost a thousand members. Mayor Ton Genuino, the Chairman Emeritus of the organization, made the event possible.

The event showcased different performances by the members of 14K Lakas ng Kabataan. It was then followed by parlor games, party, and awarding ceremony.

“Youth’s Night is more than talent shows and bonding, it is a celebration of the unity of the14 barangays”, said Dona Alborida, SK Chairman and coordinator of the event.

Youth’s Night is part of the Paskuhan in Los Baños, a month-long celebration which started in December 8 and will end on December 22.

LB holds third Musikohan Brass Band Competition

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By: Kathleen Mae Idnani, Gretzel Lantican, Easter Paz Issa D. Paulmanal

The Sinag Katipunan Drum and Lyre Corps (DLC) from Pasig City, Metro Manila, and the ACES Drum and Bugle Corps from Tagaytay City were the champions in the recently concluded Musikohan Brass Band Competition 2012 for the Drum and Lyre Category and Brass Band Category, respectively.

The said competition was held yesterday morning at Paciano Rizal Park, Barangay Timugan. The participating bands marched along the streets near the park and at 10 AM, they proceeded to the contest proper.

The prizes for the first, second and third placers were P70,000, P50,000, and P40,000, respectively.

“Maganda ang performances kasi maraming participants mula sa iba’t ibang bayan.,” George Bryan De Lara, an employee at the municipal hall, commented.

A total of 14 bands from different towns including Daet, Camarines Norte and Pangasinan competed; nine for the Drum and Lyre Competition and five for the Brass Band Competition.

The Musikohan 2012, now on its third year, is part of the Paskuhan sa Bagong Los Baῆos.

K to 12 in San Pablo: A look into the pilot’s first quarter

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by Ralph Lester C. Bañaga, Maria Celina A. Bernardo, Em S. Mandanas, Roman A. Moreno, Adrianne G. San Miguel, Paolo Emmanuel B. Torres, and Jamille Rachel G. Villeno

June 4, 2012 marked the first day of implementation of the K to 12 Program in the country. Three months into the pilot implementation and it comes as no surprise that the new program is received with mixed reactions from the school administrators, teachers, and parents.

Mrs. Jacqueline Villeno, the principal of Nino Jesus Science Oriented Montessori School explained that the K to 12 Program has only been implemented in the Philippines for a few months. According to Mrs. Villeno, different reactions are to be expected from all those involved and affected by the new curriculum.

While students like Jolyn Bernadette F. Antonio, Ma. Loricka A. Castillo, and Francis G. Beron  are aware that the K to 12 curriculum will offer more advanced lessons leading to better quality of education, they also know the  added cost of the new curriculum, the usual reason for the parents’ disfavor for the K to 12 Program.

On March 23, Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Armin A. Luistro passed DepEd Order No. 31 to all schools and offices of DepEd stating the implementation of Grade 1 to 12 Basic Education Curriculum (BEC) in the Philippines.

Prior to the implementation of K to 12 in the Philippines, there were only three countries in the world that have a ten-year education program namely the Philippines, Nepal, and Mongolia. Nepal still implements the ten-year educational system while Mongolia has recently shifted to a 12-year curriculum.

All stakeholders are coping with the changes brought about by the implementation of the K to 12 Program. For school administrators, teachers, and parents, it’s a period of adjustment.

Mrs. Helen Ramos, a DepEd San Pablo science teacher, agrees that using the mother tongue allows students to express themselves better in class, facilitating better learning. While the use of the mother tongue has its advantages, it becomes a challenge when dealing with technical terms. Ms. Arlene G. Brion, an English teacher in San Pablo Central School, explained that there may be difficulty in understanding the teaching materials especially when students have to be well versed with their mother tongue and English.

The readiness of teachers for the new curriculum is a critical factor to the effective implementation of the K to 12 Program. According to Ms. Brion, the public school teachers underwent a training for the K to 12 curriculum in May in preparation for the June implementation of K to 12.

The school materials provided for the K to 12 curriculum is also the cause of some concerns. Ms. Brion said that the materials that arrived during the last week of June are not enough for the students enrolled this school year.

Despite of the difficulties in adjusting to the new curriculum, the teachers continue to try their best to be at pace with their students. As Ms. Brion said “we have to find ways for the students to learn from us.”

Teachers, like Ms. Arlene G. Brion of San Pablo Central Elementary School, take it as part of their duty to ensure that learning takes place under the new curriculum despite of the limitations that they encounter.

Among parents, the cost of the additional two years in basic education means added expenses for their children’s education. Mrs. Fe Ann O. Arago, parent of an elementary student, explained that since she is the only one working for her family, they would really need to tighten their budget.

For parents, like Mrs. Amelita B. Cruz and Mrs. Lucita G. Reyes, the additional years in education translates to additional costs.

Mrs. Amelita B. Cruz, parent and a retired teacher, confirms that parents will need more money to finance the studies of their children. However, Mrs. Cruz also added that the K to 12 curriculum is will provide students with the basic skills and experience to decide on what college course to take.

Ms. Ana Banayo, a DepEd research officer, explained that students will be able to get a job that suits them better. Compared with the previous curriculum, students will have better mastery of basic competencies.

As designed in the K to 12 Program, Ms. Banayo added that junior high school offers additional subjects for basic subjects in college level. Senior high school, on the other hand, allows the student to choose from three specializations, namely:  (1) academic, (2) technical-vocational, and (3) sports and arts. This way, students would have clearer views on what profession they want to have in the future. “Yung graduates natin will be recognized as professionals (Our graduates will be recognized as professionals),” she added.

While Filipinos will have to wait for seven years to see the impact of the K to 12 Program through its first batch of graduates, the implementation of the new curriculum reminds us of the Filipino teachers’ unwavering commitment to their profession ensuring learning despite certain limitations and the parents’ concern for their children’s education.

In the end, it’s everyone working together for that same goal – a better quality of education for the succeeding batches of Filipino graduates.

K to 12 Program in Los Baños: A visit to the pilot classes

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by Margie I. Calilap, Jan Amiel C. De Leon, Kaizzey Marjorie T. Javier, Ysabel Anne C. Lee, Nicole Lorraine R. Prieto, and Mary Josene Uriel V. Villar

Halfway through the academic year of the K to 12 Program pilot, there are understandably mixed reactions from different stakeholders regarding the implementation and effectiveness of the program. K to 12’s main communicated advantage – producing more educated and competent graduates who could become high caliber professionals in the future – will be experienced in the long run.

At this early stage of K to 12 implementation, what is more felt is the difficulty encountered and being dealt with by school administrators, teachers, parents, and students.

K to 12 Program, in review

June 2012 ushered in the implementation of the Department of Education (DepEd)’s K to 12 Program.  The new program uses revised curriculum for Grades 1 and 7, with Grade 7 formerly being the first year in high school.

One of the objectives of K to 12 is to “provide a 12-year basic education program with strong fundamentals to equip students with life-skills and competencies, thus making graduates more productive and responsible citizens of the country”. This is according to DepEd’s Discussion Paper on the Enhanced K to 12 Basic Education Program formulated in 2010.

DepEd has selected conveners to cover different learning areas such as Social Studies, Language (English, Filipino, and Mother-tongue based), Science, Mathematics, Health, Music, and Art.

Assistant Professor Czarina Agcaoili from the University of the Philippines (UP) College of Education said that she was assigned to a learning area team (LAT) along with colleague Asst. Prof. Vanessa Oyzon. Professors Agcaoili and Oyzon worked with other teachers from the Department of History of the UP College of Social Sciences and Philosophy including Dr. Maria Serena Diokno, who spearheaded their LAT.

The medium of instruction used in the materials and for teaching Grade 1 are meant to be translated to various regional languages in accordance with the mother-tongue based instruction guidelines. Prof. Agcaoili explained that, “Based on the results of studies, kasi mas natututo ang mga mag-aaral kung ang gamit ang language na una nilang nakagisnan (students have a better understanding of the lesson if it is taught using their first language).”

Schools around Los Baños, Laguna, such as Maquiling School Incorporated (MSI), Los Baños National High School (LBNHS), and the University of the Philippines Rural High School (UPRHS) have started implementing K-12 this academic year. All three schools have oriented the parents and students and introduced them to the K-12 program. The workshops also served as venues to address concerns and questions about the implementation of K to 12.

As a private school, MSI easily adapted to the implementation of the K-12 program saying that the school started to prepare as soon as DepEd proposed the K to 12 program.

Public and private schools are mandated to adhere closely to the guidelines of the program, since they are under the jurisdiction of DepEd. This is not the case for the UPRHS, which in principle, is under DepEd the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), as it is a unit under the UP Los Baños College of Arts and Sciences. Nevertheless, UPRHS modified its curriculum to enhance subject offerings to be synchronous with the K to 12 pilot.

School Administrators as implementers

School administrators of MSI, LBNHS, and UPRHS have expressed the view that the K-12 program is indeed beneficial for the students and also for the country. The schools have embraced the K to 12 program with positive feedback.

“The school management is always open to positive curriculum changes,” said MSI Principal Mona Opaco. “It is too early to assess (the outcome of K to 12) but one thing is for sure, the school will continue to improve and adopt the program.”

LBNHS Principal Leonila Murad viewed K to 12 in positive light. She views the program as the “sagot sa kahirapan (solution to poverty)” adding that “K to 12 is the solution for quality education that we had been longing all these years.”

Prof. Liza Carascal, the principal of UPRHS, observed that some Filipinos tend to be stubborn about accepting the fact that not all of our high school graduates are prime college material, and said “kung hindi ngayon, kailan pa tayo magsisimula (If we do not act on it now, then when do we plan to)?

Added cost for parents

Misinterpretation of information may have caused some parents’ disfavor towards the implementation of K to 12. They view the program as a factor that only aggravates their current financial burden because of the two additional school years they’d need to finance for their children’s education. “Okay sana ang K to 12, pero mas okay sana kung inayos nalang nila yung quality of education sa Pilipinas (K to 12 is okay. But it would have been better if they just improve the quality of education in the Philippines),” said Mrs. Solisi.

Students torn about the effects of K to 12

Students as beneficiaries of the program share different perspectives about the implementation of the program.

The majority of the freshmen interviewed from the LBNHS said that they are in favor of the K to 12 and are excited to be part of the first batch of students to undertake the program. “Noong una po talagang naguguluhan kami. Eh pinaliwanag naman po sa amin yung benefits na maitutulong sa amin. Sang-ayon na po kami .(At first we were confused but after being briefed and oriented about the benefits of the program, we eventually agreed),” this is according to a freshman of the pilot class of LBNHS.

On the contrary, other students tend to disagree because of assumptions that K to 12 might imply added academic load and financial burden. Ms. Tolentino, a freshman student of MSI said, remains neutral to the issue saying “…Yung iba kailangan po nila yung K to 12 kasi wala po silang pampaaral sa college. Yung mga gusto naman po mag-college, madadagdagan pa ng dalawang taon (It will benefit those who cannot afford to go to college at the same time, those who want to go to college are required to take two more years)”.

Favorable responses from the students to the K to 12 can be attributed to the comprehensive background on K to 12 given to them.

Going back to basics: the main reason for K to 12 implementation

K-12 was proposed primarily because degree holders from the Philippines are not recognized abroad. This is because the current 10-year basic education system in the country does not comply with the almost universal threshold of 12 years basic education. “Of course, gusto natin makasabay sa mundo at ma-acknowledge ang professionals natin sa labas ng bansa (we want to be able to be part of global changes and be recognized as professionals outside the country),” said Ms. Helen Ramos, DepEd’s K to 12 coordinator in San Pablo, Laguna.

When asked if public high schools have enough facilities to accommodate the large number of students enrolled when the time grades and 11 and 12 are introduced, Ms. Ramos clarified that the DepEd will tap the resources of private schools in order to achieve the goal of accommodating the number of students who will be attending senior high.

“In any change process, there will always be adjustments and adaptations,” Ms. Ramos stated. “And it will be good to muster strong political will to drive K to 12 forward,” she added.