Senator tells PH educators: Shape character, too

 Sen. Win Gatchalian (Bibo Nueva España/Senate PRIB)

MANILA, Philippines—The chair of the Senate committee on education called on educators to shape not just minds but also character as reforms are being introduced in Philippine school curricula.

“I strongly believe that it is important for us to shape not just the minds of our learners but also their character,” said Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, Senate education committee chair and author of Republic Act No. 11899, which created a second congressional commission on education.

Speaking before teachers, students and civic education experts at the 2nd Annual Civic Education Summit on Friday (April 28), Gatchalian said the second education congressional commission (Edcom) that the law he authored created would help improve Philippine education through curriculum reforms.

At the same event, Alma Ruby Torio, Department of Education (DepEd) curriculum secretary, said the DeEd will focus on decongesting curricula, identifying prerequisite skills and preparing students for more complex learning competencies.

The DepEd, according to Torio, will also help develop a “culture of peace,” redefine its language program and improve literacy under a new curriculum.

Torio said the second Edcom will assess the Philippine education sector “for the purpose of recommending transformative, concrete and targeted reforms…with the end in view of making the Philippines globally competitive in both education and labor markets.”

TSB