Character and Creativity Summit for Educators Upholds Transformation of School Culture in the Philippines
Two hundred eighty seven educators from five regions in the Philippines convened for the first Character and Creativity Initiative (CCI) Summit organized by Global Peace Foundation Philippines and supported by the Department of Education on October 19, 2016. The summit, held in Philippine Normal University, the National Center for Teacher Education, promotes “Transforming School Culture by Educating the Total Child.”
Speakers of the first panel include education supervisors, principals, and teachers from the divisions and selected schools that piloted the Character and Creativity Initiative in the Philippines. They shared their experiences and the results and outcomes of implementing the program.
One of them, Mrs. Normita Ocampo, an education program supervisor from the Division of Aurora, enumerated some of the impacts of CCI implementation to the educators, the learners, and the school culture. “There was an increase in the development of good character and respect to school heads, teachers, and other students among the learners,” she shared. Mrs. Ocampo also highlighted the reported decreased number of absenteeism in CCI pilot schools. “The academic performance of students has increased, as well as the performance rating of teachers,” she added.
Representatives from GPF Philippines partner institutions were also present to share other platforms and initiatives beyond cognitive learning that can advance leadership and innovative skills in schools and communities. Emil Tapnio, program director of Philippine Development Foundation; Bienvenido Marquez, executive director of Hands on Manila; and, Arlita Narag, corporate social responsibility head of Samsung Philippines affirmed how entrepreneurship, technology, digital learning, and leadership development can upgrade the learning experience and impact of education to 21st century educators and learners.
Dr. Tony Devine, Vice President of Education of Global Peace Foundation, highlighted the need to integrate character and creativity into every aspect of school culture towards the holistic development of a “total child.” The educators paid close attention when Dr. Devine introduced the five Character and Creativity Standards (Purpose, Character, Creativity, Relationships, and Learning) of CCI which encapsulates top 15 leadership competencies that will help the students succeed in life and work in the future.
He also cited the importance of public, private, and social partnerships to achieve better and more impact in solving today’s complex problems such as in education. “The government, schools, business, and non-profit sectors must not work separately, but work together to solve the problems of the modern world through innovative and ethical leadership,” Dr. Devine emphasized.
In conclusion, the educators and stakeholders present in the summit expressed their support to Global Peace Foundation’s announcement of launching LEAP Hub in the Philippines in 2017. LEAP Hub, piloted in Kenya, is a dedicated space within high schools where students are trained and encouraged to launch their own business or start a social enterprise. The Hub is a public-private sector partnership that supports creativity, entrepreneurship, and innovation.