RP overseas schools urged to promote Filipino identity

April 24, 2006
Updated 07:45am (Mla time)
Alcuin Papa
Inquirer

PHILIPPINE schools overseas must continue promoting the Filipino identity, Department of Education officer in charge Fe Hidalgo said in a speech she delivered last week before officials of Philippine schools in Xiamen, China.

"As Filipino educators overseas, you all know the importance of promoting Filipino identity. But... you must [also] recognize the need to teach Filipino children abroad that they, too, are part of that Filipino identity, not just because they belong to our race, but because they, too, contribute to the richness of our race. They are integral to our national pride and our national identity. The efforts we made to make Philippine schools overseas possible are all about our children and what we teach them," Hidalgo told her audience of administrators and educators.

She asked overseas school officials to maintain both quality and access to overseas schools. She also suggested that educators maintain a high degree of quality and professionalism in the management of their schools.

"I am sure that you are very much aware of the important role you play in the Philippine education system and in the lives of the young Filipino boys and girls you serve. But while you continue to provide affordable quality education based on the Philippine curriculum, while you contribute to shaping the Filipino identity of the overseas Filipino children and youth you serve, and while you endeavor to ensure that the standards overseas can enable students to be readily integrated into the Philippine educational system upon their return to our country, you must also ensure that your schools are managed well," she said.

Hidalgo also suggested that school managers "find ways of making your schools run productively and smoothly. Provide the leadership necessary to ensure quality performance in all aspects of school management."

She said the hiring and selection guidelines for school managers and teachers must be tailored to the same standards as the host country "to ensure that the management of your schools -- and the management of your classrooms -- are at their optimal levels. Also, provide opportunities for the professional development of your principals and teachers."

So Filipino overseas students would have a smoother transition to local schools, Hidalgo said the teaching and testing methods must conform to local standards "so we can find out how well our overseas Filipino students perform, and find out how well they can adjust to studying in Philippine schools upon their return."

She also suggested that overseas schools build links to local schools to keep in touch with standards being used in the country.

Hidalgo also pushed for the adoption and eventual institutionalization of the Department of Education's flagship program called Schools First Initiative (SFI). The program seeks to bring in other education stakeholders into projects meant to develop and support schools in the community.

http://news.inq7.net/express/html_output/20060424-73553.xml.html