Article by: Marienel Ramos, Laureen Tauli, Kyth Manuel, Darthon Ventura
La Trinidad, Benguet – The Philippine Association for Teachers and Educators – Cordillera Administrative Region (PAFTE-CAR) held its Annual Student Congress on January 17, 2025, at Benguet State University. The event, which ran from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, brought together student-teachers, educators, and institutions from across the region.
The University of Baguio’s Teacher Education Programs, comprising 65 fourth-year students from the Bachelor of Secondary Education, Bachelor of Elementary Education, and Bachelor of Physical Education, actively participated in the event. As these students prepare for their teaching internships in the second semester of A.Y. 2024-2025, the congress offered them an opportunity to gain fresh ideas and valuable insights.
One highlight of the event for the UB delegates was their dance performance. Full of energy and enthusiasm, they danced to the tune of “We’re All in This Together,” engaging the audience and inspiring them to join in. This lively presentation symbolized the unity and collaboration that the congress aimed to foster while showcasing the creativity and talent of the participants.
The congress featured six dynamic sessions designed to deepen participants’ understanding of current educational trends and policies spearheaded by various speakers.
- Session 1: Updates on Teacher Education Programs – Dr. Felina P. Espique, PAFTE’s National Immediate Adviser, discussed recent initiatives by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), including the MATATAG agenda to enhance the K-12 curriculum. Dr. Espique stressed the need for teacher education programs to adapt to evolving educational standards.
- Session 2: Empowering Educators: Unveiling the Path to Knowledge, ICT Integration Towards Excellent Teaching-Internship – Dr. Cecilia A. Mercado emphasized the critical role of technology in education. She also highlighted strategies for fostering digital literacy, adaptability, and the creation of engaging, thought-provoking content in a technology-driven teaching environment.
- Session 3: Nurturing Well Rounded Individuals: The Enhanced K-12 Curriculum/ DepEd Updates – Dr. Jardson Onio provided insights into updates to the K-12 curriculum, including subject adjustments and piloting innovative educational strategies. He underscored the importance of addressing the Philippines’ low rankings in international assessments, encouraging participants to envision their roles in transforming the education system.
- Session 4: Demonstration Teaching Multi-Grade Classes – Dr. Cesar S. Martin delivered an engaging demonstration of effective strategies for multi-grade classrooms. His interactive simulation captivated the audience, providing practical approaches for handling diverse learners.
- Session 5: The Internship Odyssey: Communication and Confidence Good – Dr. Joseph B. Quinto focused on the significance of communication skills in teaching. He highlighted how body language and message delivery enhance classroom interactions, resonating strongly with the audience.
- Session 6: Building 21st Century Competencies Integrating Technology in Formative and Summative Assessment – Dr. Ramir Austria introduced innovative tools for formative and summative assessments tailored to various learning styles. His practical strategies aimed to improve assessment methods in the classroom.
Other participating institutions included Saint Louis University, Ifugao State University, Kalinga State University, King’s College, Siloam College Inc., St. Tonins, Easter College, Cordillera Career Development College, and Benguet State University. The event provided an excellent opportunity for CAR pre-service teachers to network with peers from other institutions and interact with experienced educators, contributing to the attainment of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 17: Partnerships for the Goals.
