INNOTECH eNewsletter

May 2017 Issue

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INNOTECH facilitates FGD on Multigrade Program in Philippine Education

Under the tripartite project of the Department of Education (DepEd), SEAMEO INNOTECH and UNICEF entitled, Technical Support to Multigrade Program in the Philippine Education (TS-MPPE), selected schools divisions multigrade coordinators/focal persons, teachers, and school heads in Luzon participated in a back-to-back two-day focus group discussion (FGD)s held at SEAMEO INNOTECH last 8-9 May 2017 for the Southern Luzon cluster and 11-12 May 2017 for the Northern Luzon cluster. Their contributions during the FGDs will form part of the projects’ invaluable inputs to the DepEd’s policy formulation, program improvement and potential scaling up of MPPE. FGDs for Visayas and Mindanao are set to happen around June and July this year, respectively.

The TS-MPPE project aims to determine the effectiveness of multigrade education as an alternative delivery modality to improve access to quality of education for all learners. In the Philippine public school system, if a class does not meet the minimum required number of enrollees and therefore it is not viable to conduct a class of limited number of pupils, the supposed enrollees are merged into a single class and taught by one teacher. This means that children with different developmental levels, abilities, and needs are mixed in a class and learn together under the guidance of one teacher. According to DepEd, a class with multiple grade levels conducted in one classroom and handled by a single teacher is called a multigrade or multilevel class. The multigrade learning system makes the learning experience inclusive to as many sectors because it is open to all learners who belong to isolated and financially challenged communities, are indigenous peoples, and reside in

remote areas, mountains and islands where schools are far apart. Through multigrade teaching, more and more children in underserved communities are gaining access to learning opportunities.

The FGD activity is part of the data gathering phase of the project’s first component, the MPPE program review. This component focuses on assessing multigrade education as a strategy to democratize and widen access to quality education for marginalized communities. Keeping this in mind, the FGD revolved on reviewing the MPPE as a delivery mode and its effectiveness in addressing the learner’s diverse needs. Other data gathering activities under this component include a survey of 161 schools divisions and more than 7,000 multigrade schools, and case study on good practices in multigrade teaching.

Aside from the review of the multigrade education program, the TS-MPPE project also includes the development of a set of quality assurance monitoring and assessment tools on MPPE and capacity building for DepEd MPPE supervisors in using these tools. This tripartite project which started in February 2017, will be carried out for eighteen months and is expected to conclude in August 2018.

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The FGD participants from Northern Luzon

The FGD participants from Southern Luzon

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INNOTECH participates in Brigada Eskwela 2017

As part of SEAMEO INNOTECH’s Social Responsibility activities, Center staff and partners participated in the Philippine Department of Education’s (DepEd) annual School Maintenance Week, Brigada Eskwela.

Armed with cleaning and painting materials, Center staff and partners gathered to Culiat Elementary School on 17-18 May 2017 for a two-day school brigade. With the efforts of the staff, partners, and other volunteers, the school’s walls have been brought back to its full colors, ready for the resume of classes.

Aside from painting the school walls, the Center also helped in setting up the school’s vertical eco garden and donated garden soil, vegetable seedlings, and vertical plant pockets. In addition, the Center also donated assorted cleaning materials.

Brigada Eskwela is the DepEd’s National School Maintenance Week, usually held in May to ensure that all public school facilities are ready for the new school year starting in June.

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LoL: Travel Photography

“A portrait is a landscape of emotions,” said renowned photographer, Mr. Manny Lobrodo, during his exclusive learning session on Travel Photography for INNOTECH staff and partners, 2 June 2017.

Mr. Librodo shared stories of his beginnings as a photographer, events that inspired him to take on photography, and his achievements that pushed him to pursue his passion for it. He stressed the importance of choosing the right subject, lighting, and details in taking photographs. He said that these are some of the keys in taking photos with high impact. Through the brief

session, INNOTECH staff and partners were able to learn valuable non-technical photography techniques from the experiences of Mr. Manny Librodo.

Mr. Manny Librodo is a multi-awarded photographer specializing in travel, portrait, and fashion photography. His exclusive learning session for INNTOECH is part of the Center’s informal training program, “Lots of Learning (LoL),” which aims to address current skills gaps and to provide personal and professional development to Center staff and partners.

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15th SEAMEO INNOTECH International Conference

SEAMEO INNOTECH’s 15th International Conference uses the power of stories to explore Inclusive Quality Education from the perspective of learners who are traditionally unseen, unheard, and underserved. Listen to the accounts of how those living in the fringes of mainstream society have achieved success not only for

themselves but also for others.

BE PART OF THE STORY.JOIN THE CONVERSATION.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

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IN FOCUS

MOOC: Igniting Passion for Teaching

SEAMEO INNOTECH will be launching its first Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on Igniting Passion for Teaching. This online course aims to inspire, rekindle and build the capacity of teachers and educators of Southeast Asia.

The course will begin on July 31, 2017. Enrollment is now open.

Sign up now!

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SEAMEO Regional Center for Educational Innovation and TechnologyCommonwealth Ave., Diliman, Quezon City 1101 Philippines

+632 9247681 to 84 | http://www.seameo-innotech.org