The Department of Education Schools Division of Bacolod City awarded teacher-writers, quality assurance, and technical working committee during the culminating activity and recognition rites on Saturday at Andres Bonifacio Elementary School-II.
These individuals were merited with their outstanding performances in the 3rd and 4th quarters in the following category—Radio-Based Instruction (RBI) for Grade Levels 1-3, Big Books with Historical Content, Bacolod Compendium 61, and Grade 9 Quarter 3 Assessment.
Division Education Program Supervisor of Araling Panlipunan (Social Studies) Dr. Pinky Pamela S. Guanzon told that the Social Studies Department of the SDO -Bacolod has been doing this for years now and has put it to practice in giving awards and recognitions to all its constituents and sterling teachers for their hard work and collaborative effort in coming up strategical means to delivering quality and accessible education to learners, particularly in remote areas.
Professor Michael Charleston “Xiao” Briones Chua, a Filipino historian, academic, and television personality as the guest speaker announced that there is a review of the Araling Panlipunan curriculum for Grades 4, 5, and 6. Thanks to the DepEd Bureau of Curriculum who has been working on the decongestion of some competencies, keeping the essential and substantial points in the teaching content.
He emphasized the importance of studying History and how to bring it closer to the people. “The main point of teaching for me, is pagpapakatao, you understand events, the feelings of the people, the struggle of the people and hopefully that will make you a better person,” he added.
“In respecting different views, you’re not the only who has the monopoly to perspective of what is true…You need [to] research, you need a method of knowing what is primary or secondary source so that you can have those different perspectives of the truth.”
“Why is that important? Because it is supposed to unite the Filipinos into common understanding even if you have different beliefs, different perspectives,” Chua stressed.
Chua believed the reason why historian and the teachers are doing such is that people should live the lessons learned from the past. “We have to realize na ang pagpapakatao, the other thing is we have to learn lesson from the past. Isipin nyo na lang na paano ka, parang sinasabi ko ha ang pinakamagandang example jan yung sa lovelife, sa syota, niloko ka you have to search your right. Now, magkaroon ka naman relasyon ulit at nalimutan mo na yung mga learnings mo, wala kang maturity. Uulitin mo naman magpaloko ka ulit, mabreak your heart ulit. Ang pinakamandang mangyari ay magmature ka, you learn from past mistakes and live a better future,” Chua added.
Chua left some inspiring words to AP teachers to be confident when coming into classes. How to encourage students who find Araling Panlipunan as a boring or sleepy subject. “Imagine the time when your students are happy coming to your classes, not because they are afraid, but they are always excited. Why? Because you’re so sure that what you are offering is really important.”
As a proud Negrense, he cited MassKara Festival as one of the best examples that is rich in historical facts that every Negrese should be proud of.
“How do you teach your students to love their country, begin by being the best that they can be and equip them with stories that edify them. Equip them with stories that awaken their concerns for other people, and also that make them proud as well. They can face the world ng hindi nakayuko, kundi taas noo, dahil sila’ y Negrense, dahil sila’y Pilipino.”
The program came to an end with words of gratitude coming from representatives from different school levels. Common to their speeches centered on the resilience characterized by each Araling Panlipunan teacher that brave the challenges during the trying times brought by the pandemic and their heroic deeds in providing solutions to needs and bridging the gap in the present education set up.
Jocelyn Montealegre, President of the Bacolod Social studies Teachers Association of Banago Elem. School I expressed her gratitude to the attendees for showcasing their talents and craftsmanship in making the course a success.