ANGARA PRESSES FOR CONTINUING TEACHER EDUCATION

Senator Edgardo J. Angara underscored the importance of teacher education and development in reforming the Philippine educational system during a roundtable discussion (RTD) among administrators of Normal Schools and Universities.

Presenters in the RTD included Dr. Gregory L. Tangonan, Executive Director of the Congressional Commission on Science, Technology and Engineering; Rina Lopez-Bautista, President of the Knowledge Channel Foundation; Jane Cacacho, Principal of Xavier School; Dr. Merle C. Tan, Executive Director of the National Institute for Science and Mathematics Education Development; Dr. Beatriz Torno, Director of the Teacher Education Council - DepEd; and Dr. Ester B. Ogena, President of the Philippine Normal University.

"I believe that 2012 will be an auspicious year for education in our country, especially with the commitment and leadership by the DepEd and CHED to overhaul the system," said Angara, who authored landmark legislation in education such as the Free High School Act and the recently passed Kindergarten Education Act.

"But we all know that educating teachers according to world-class standards goes hand-in-hand with improving our entire educational system," he added.

Angara, Chair of the Senate Committee on Education, Arts and Culture, mentioned that around P100 million from the 2012 budget of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has been allotted for 100 scholarships in teacher development, especially for teachers in Normal schools.

The veteran lawmaker also stressed that Information and Communications Technology (ICT) should be used in teacher development, as Internet connectivity provides access to world-class curricula and enables collaboration and mentoring programs between Filipino teachers and professors in top-notch educational institutions.

The former UP President said, "Different organizations really need to start working together and use innovative solutions and delivery systems to achieve real gains in teacher development. I urge all stakeholders in the education sector to think hard on how available technologies can help achieve competitive, world-class education for our country."