THE Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) and Tambuyog Development Center (TDC) recently distributed 50 teacher’s manuals and learning activity books to the public elementary school teachers in Badian town, southwest Cebu.
The project, initiated by the Tambuyog Development Center (TDC) and Malhiao Resource Management Multi-Purpose Cooperative (MRMMPC) of Badian, aims to educate the youth about the importance of mangroves and other coastal resources.
The recipient teachers from Badian Central School and the public elementary schools in the coastal barangays of Malhiao, Sohoton, Manduyong and Dagatan will use the learning tools for the grades 5 and 6 pupils.
The recipient schools piloted the integration of coastal education and developed the learning materials for subjects like Science, Heograpiya, Kasaysayan, at Sibika (Hekasi), and Edukasyong Pantahanan at Pangkabuhayan (EPP).
“We look forward to integrating coastal ecosystem lessons in the basic education curriculum as this will benefit the children and their families, who rely on fish for their food and even livelihood. I hope that teachers and stakeholders will continue to improve these learning materials,” said TDC program coordinator Delfa Talaid.
On April 1, 2011, the Department of Education in Central Visayas (DepEd-7) issued a memorandum requiring all teachers in Science and Health, EPP and Hekasi to integrate coastal ecosystem education in their lessons.
“The integration of preserving our coastal ecosystem in classroom instruction is very important in informing the pupils the value of this environmental component,” Cebu schools division superintendent Dr. Arden Monisit said.
Under its Development Fund, RAFI also supports the Tambuyog’s Malhiao Coastal Resource Center.
Located within a 73-hectare mangrove forest and sea grass cover, the center serves as a venue for coastal ecosystem education. It is managed by the MRMMPC, whose members also serve as eco-educators and tour guides.
TDC is one of the beneficiaries of RAFI’s Grants Program.
For more information about Grants, call Jan Michael Oseo at 418-7234 local 205 or visit www.rafi.org.ph or www.facebook.com/rafi.org.ph.