LEGAZPI CITY TEACHERS FROM ORO SITE PARTICIPATED IN SCHOOL OF PEACE ORIENTATION

Seated: Teddy Janola, Herbert B. Rosana, Agney Taruc, 

Mrs Jemz Evangelio, and Jeremy Cruz

 The Bicol Consortium for Peace Education and Development (BCPED) in cooperation with the Division of City Schools of Legazpi, headed by its superintendent Dr. Cesar H. Medina and with Oro Site High School headed by its principal Jeremy Cruz in Legazpi City held the Orientation Seminar for the School of Peace Project.  The objective of the seminar was to provide and raise the awareness of the teachers on the need to acquire new awareness and skills to teach peace education in basic education curriculum.  The teaching of Peace Education in the basic education curriculum and teacher education is not an option but a mandate as expressed in EO 570.  Dr. Herbert B. Rosana, the Director of BCPED said that the desire to implement peace education must come from within.  It is not something that is forced to the constituents, but something that they have to accept wholeheartedly. But to do this there is a need to raise the level of consciousness of the constituents.  This awareness raising thing is the first step in the realization of the projects "School of  Peace".  Hence this two day seminar was meant to raise the level of awareness of the peace constituents of Oro Site High School.  The two-day seminar achieved its purpose.  The seminar created a desire and excitement among the teachers and their principal.  In so much so that commitments were expressed and there was a marked willingness among the teachers to get involved in the process.  The "school of peace" concept is not a one-shot project but an ongoing development.  It is a process to be undertaken until such a time that peace is internalized in the personal level of experience, in the school community and in the larger society.  

Plenary Sessions

Oro Site High School is located in an urban barangay.  The locale offers opportunities for inter-cultural dialogue since it hosts the Islamic Center where migrant Muslims congregate for worship.  Moreover, some students are from economically depressed communities.   With this scenario the "School of Peace" can become an an opportunity for meaningful intervention.   The BCPED in cooperation with the Department of Education Region V has been piloting the school of peace in Bicol. The first pilot project was established three years ago in San Isidro Elementary School in Castilla, Sorsogon.  The BCPED Secretariat is on the process of documenting the San Isidro project as a form of best practice in Education.  The BCPED has been the recipient of grants coming from the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP).  It has been conducting these series of projects under the banner of the Strengthening Peace Education in the Region of Bicol (Spear-Bicol) and it has been an ongoing engagement with the peace constituencies in Bicol.

The orientation seminar included a series of workshops.  Dr. Herbert B. Rosana facilitated a workshop on the topic of holistic understanding of peace and violence, while Dr. Dolores Laguilles of Bicol University introduced the topic on gender equality.  Late in the afternoon Dr. Rosemarie T. Frias discussed the topic on Human Rights.  The second day included a session on how to become an effective teacher.  The session was facilitated by Prof. Marcia P. Rico.  While the last section was a sharing of best practices.  Mr. Agney Taruc education supervisor II from Region XII, Mrs. Jemz Evangelio, School Head of Imamaling High School in North Cotabato and Mr. Teddy Janola of San Isidro Elementary School shared their experiences on the School of Peace.  There was a lively interaction among the participants as most expressed interest in the schools for peace project.  The seminar ended with a positive note where commitments were made.  On the part of the BCPED we will do our best to be able to facilitate the implementation of these projects so that the intent and spirit of EO 570 will be realized and that  strong constituencies in Bicol are established.

The Teachers who participated in the training were the following:

From Oro Site High School

1. Judy B. Marfil
2. Evelyn F. Arimado
3. Renato Racal
4. Cristina A. Balbin
5. Ma. V. Susana Calacdac
6. Eliza F. Cas
7. Jeremy A. Cruz - School Principal
8. Lea Marie M. Apin
9. A. Orlain
10. Jo-Ann Oliva
11. Elvie D. Bigtas
12. Maricel M. Naz
13. Evangeline Morallo

From Other Schools

1. Fernado A. Hirang II - Bangquerohan HS
2. Julius B. Espadero - Pag-Asa National HS
3. Melanie Dayto - Arimbay Elementary School
4. Agnes Lasin - Maslog HS
5. Sonny Jacob - Arimbay HS
6. Mark A. Valladolid - Cabangan HS
7. Cleve Laurence Velacruz - Ibalon CS
8. Jordette Audrey D. Patacsil-Balingbing
9. C. Nabo-Pagasa NHS