SEVERAL professors from different universities urged students from different schools to promote education reforms during an education summit last Feb. 18 and 19 at the Fr. Angel de Blas, O.P. Hall of the Main Bldg.
Philippine Normal University (PNU) professor Rene Romero suggested education reforms through more civic programs and student organizations, which, he said, are instruments for “constructive change” that will channel the idealism and vigor of the youth toward serving the people.
“(Student organizations,) ang nagbibigay daan upang ang mga estudyante ay hindi (lang) maging alipin sa aklat, kundi sinusuri ang iba’t-ibang suliranin sa lipunan at ‘yun ay constructive,” he said.
Edicio de la Torre, former Technical Education and Skills Development Authority general director, said civil society could do something for education reform.
“Isa sa mga agenda ng education reform ay (kung) ano ang magagawa ng hindi teacher, principal, administrator, gobyerno, at korporasyon,” he said.
De la Torre added that among the considerations to be taken in education reform are the alternative learning systems (ALS) and the incorporation of the multiple intelligence theory.
ALS includes home study programs for out-of-school youths and adult night schools.
Meanwhile, UST Social Research Center researcher Clarence Batan suggested that the corporate world should provide adequate information on skills needed, and to lessen the courses that have low or no guaranteed employment.
He also suggested that schools must help their jobless graduates in searching for work as parts of education reform.
“Hindi na nga natin maasahan yung gobyerno, ‘di pa natin maasahan ‘yung pamantasang pinanggalingan natin,” he said.
Besides Thomasians, students from PNU, St. Scholastica’s College, Adamson University, Eulogio “Amang” Rodriguez Institute of Science and Technology, San Juan de Dios College, University of the Philippines-Manila, De La Salle University, Pasig Catholic College, Colegio de San Juan de Letran-Manila, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, and San Sebastian College attended the summit.
The summit was organized by the UST Central Student Council, PNU, and Pathways, an educational NGO. John Rheeno T. Cabangcalan
