Multiple Intelligence International School creates Green School Movement to prepare the youth to be environmental stewards and progressive-minded leaders

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At a time of environmental destruction and a backward mindset, the Multiple Intelligence International School (MIIS) brings back a spark of hope by introducing to Filipinos the concept of progressive learning that advocates for Multiple Intelligences and the development of future leaders and entrepreneurs.

The generations that will be produced from this educational approach will most likely utilize their intelligences for the greater good and to make a difference.

The Multiple Intelligence International School believes that this goal can be best achieved by piloting the first LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)-certified Green School in the country which would hopefully encourage other campuses to adapt the core practices of education for sustainable development. 

This is where the Green School Movement led by MIIS comes into the picture. Established to invite stakeholders to share knowledge and expertise, it will ultimately create a network of individuals and organizations who share MIIS’ environmental advocacy, encourage the creation of Green Schools, enhance environmental literacy through input into curriculum of relevant research and practice, and engage the youth to be leaders and advocates for sustainability.

Among the initiatives of the Green School Movement led by MIIS are MAD for the Environment Cambantoc Reforestation Project that aims to reforest the Makiling Watershed; the Rainforest Café which through funds raised will create awareness about the current state of the Philippine Rainforest; the information campaign called One Act for Mother Earth; Kids Can! Save the Environment, a call for the young to use their intelligences to protect the environment; Go Green, Go Zero Waste, an awareness campaign targeted for homes and schools; Energy Pledge which will have families and students vow to reduce energy consumption in their homes and submit progress done to an energy audit meter in the school; and LEAD with LEED which provides mentorship and leadership fora to ensure the understanding and implementation of best practice to meet the LEED accreditation standards.

Overseeing the MIIS Green School Movement is the Green Advisory Council which is composed of experts well-versed in the "5 Core Practices of the Green Schools Network" namely Environmental Literacy & Sustainability, Stewardship, Sustainable Design, Health & Well Being, Partnerships. The Green Advisory Council is also tasked to support the three pillars of sustainable development: environment, social, and economic. 

A greener future for the Philippines has been a long-held dream. Through the creation of the Green School Movement, the Multiple Intelligence International School, true to its commitment to sustainable, green education seeks to address the many issues that pose peril to the environment. 

By molding forward-thinking, internationally competitive young leaders within the premises of the first LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)-certified Green School in the Philippines, these young Filipinos can be relied upon to stir the country towards a future that is lush, abundant, and sustainable. 

DepEd gears up for National Schools Press Conference 2015, introduces Online Journ to educators

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The Department of Education (DepEd) conducted a nationwide training for school paper advisers and campus journalism coordinators as part of its preparation for the 2015 National Schools Press Conference (NSPC). Aside from basic journalism concepts, the participants were also introduced to Online Journalism and Science Writing, which are recent additions to the NSPC competition categories.

Education Secretary Br. Armin Luistro FSC highlighted the importance of adding digital communication components in the Campus Journalism Program. He said that doing so will increase the 21st century skills of teachers, thereby furthering the media literacy of Filipino students.

The National Training of Trainers on Campus Journalism aimed to orient the school paper advisers on the current trends and developments in campus journalism and digital communications media, to enhance their journalistic skills and to update effective school paper management and editorial techniques. Aside from Online Journalism, the school paper advisers were also trained in Editorial Cartooning, Copy Writing, Feature Writing, News Writing, Sports Writing, and Photojournalism by resource speakers from the industry and academe. 

The training was divided into two batches: Luzon and Visayas-Mindanao. Around 180 school paper advisers from the nine regions in Visayas and Mindanao participated in the Davao City training while 160 school advisers from Luzon joined the second leg in Lucena City. The nationwide training also served as a venue to address issues and concerns relating to the conduct of the NSPC 2015.

This year's NSPC will be held in Taguig City, from April 6 to 10 with the theme Empowering Resilient Communities Through Campus Journalism. 

As the culmination of the in-school journalism and English language programs, NSPC provides a venue for enriching learning experiences for students interested in pursuing journalism as a career. It aims to demonstrate an understanding of the importance of journalism by expressing it through different journalistic endeavors and approaches, to sustain advocacy on social consciousness, to promote responsible journalism through fair and ethical use of mass and social media.

DepEd, USAID to expand educ access for OSYs, students in conflict-affected areas

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The Department of Education (DepEd) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) signed the bilateral agreement for Basic Education Programs aiming to increase access to quality education for vulnerable populations such as out-of-school youth (OSY) and students in conflict-affected areas.

Education Secretary Br. Armin Luistro FSC said that through this partnership, the Department will be able to open opportunities not only for students with special needs and pre-primary students but also to OSYs and students who reside in conflict-affected areas. 

He added, “Our mandate is to provide every Filipino child with access to quality education.”

DepEd Undersecretary for Legal and Legislative Affairs Alberto Muyot said, “Education is the primary driver of development.” He added that education should be inclusive and should serve everyone, “especially the least, the lost, and the last.”

US Embassy deputy chief of mission Brian Goldbeck said, “This bilateral education agreement will sustain and reinvigorate our combined efforts to ensure that the Philippines continues its rise as regional and global leader in this new century.”

“Education is a shared responsibility,” Muyot said. He urged the public to take a stand in education and take an active part in shaping the future that every Filipino learner deserves.

Under the agreement, DepEd and USAID will provide life skills training to youth, promote community engagement and peace education, increase capacity of teachers and youth leaders to meet the education needs of youth and vulnerable population through alternative learning areas affected by crisis and conflict.

The partnership intends to strengthen education governance at both national and local levels. It also aims to empower the local government units, communities, and stakeholders to deliver education and training service for OSYs and to increase OSY employability by providing equitable access to relevant education and skills training.

The program also aims to improve learning outcomes in reading, science and mathematics instruction, diagnostics, and teaching and learning materials.

Public schools nationwide pay tribute to 44 SAF heroes

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The Department of Education (DepEd), together with its schools and offices, observed 44 seconds of silence and one second for peace nationwide during today’s flag-raising ceremonies to honor the 44 Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) who perished during the Mamasapano incident.

Education Secretary Br. Armin Luistro FSC said, “It is with profound sadness that we, as a Department, bear this loss, for the valiant 44 PNP-SAF heroes who count as our sons. News of their deaths triggered an expression of sorrow from teachers, administrators, and members of the DepEd family nationwide—they, too, had lost husbands, brothers, and former students.”

Luistro emphasized the government’s commitment in making sure that the bereaved families will not be alone in their grief, saying, “We, along with other government agencies, will help take care of those left behind. While recovery from this loss will take time, we will ensure that the needs of widows, children, and families of the deceased are met.”

He urged every educator to instill values of heroism, bravery, tolerance, and compassion among Filipino students in paving the path to peace. Luistro added, “We look to our educators to serve as proper beacons of light, faithful to the search for truth, justice, and peace.”

He added that pursuing peace is not only for the benefit of those in Mindanao but also for the good of the nation, adding the promoting it is a shared responsibility. “There’s no other lesson for us but to pursue peace. So many people have died (in war), we must all work for peace,” he said.

He also reminded everyone to exercise mercy and compassion to people who occupy the peripheries. “We are fortunate to enjoy certain freedoms because of the sacrifice of the few and the brave, while on the other hand, we look to the losses incurred in conflict.”

Students of Oranbo Elementary School, parents, teachers, police officers from the Eastern Police Disctrict, representatives from Bureau of Fire Protection - NCR, DepEd officials and personnel lit candles to honor the bravery and heroism of the 44 SAF men.

Kariton Klasrum Program goes nationwide

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Developed by CNN 2009 Hero of the Year Efren Peñaflorida, the Kariton Klasrum is a program where volunteers filled wheel wooden pushcarts with learning materials and sanitation supplies to teach basic education and hygiene practices to out-of-school children.

As part of the effort in promoting inclusive education nationwide, the Department of Education (DepEd) is replicating the Dynamic Teen Company's (DTC) Kariton Klasrum made popular by CNN Hero awardee Efren Penaflorida, Jr. By expanding the project nationwide, DepEd and its partners intend to address the needs of hard-to-reach learners and out-of-school children and youth (OSCYs).

Education Secretary Br. Armin Luistro FSC said the DepEd aims to reach out to out-of-school youth and street children through the project. 

“Children should not be required to adjust to our system of education,  it is the system of education that should address their needs,”  he said.

The program provides greater mobility for children-at-risk, OSCYs, and school drop-outs in accessing basic education through the Alternative Delivery Modes (ADM) program of DepEd. 

Education Secretary Br. Armin Luistro FSC said, “This project aims to have a 100% reintegration rate of the beneficiaries into mainstream or regular schools. Just as we accommodate the unique needs of indigenous peoples and special learners, we also try to fit our modes of delivery to the unique conditions of children at-risk, especially those in the streets."

According to Peñaflorida, there are already a total of 84 ongoing Kariton Klasrum sites. He explains that the goal of the program is to get the children back to school. “Hindi ito replacement sa regular classroom. Ang gusto namin ay ma-entice silang mag-aral ulit.” After three months under the Kariton Klasrum Program, the students will be evaluated for school-readiness. “We are never too strong to do things on our own. Your presence now secures our future. It is very important,” he added.

DepEd Undersecretary for Partnerships and External Linkages Mario A. Deriquito said that a total number of 106 Kariton Klasrum sites is the target for NCR. He then posed the challenge of reaching out to the farthest areas and “to look for those who have been overlooked.”

Deriquito also invited partners to help in the program and said, “We encourage companies, organizations, and individuals to support the Kariton Klasrum Program. We need help in providing students’ school supplies, storybooks, and daily feeding programs as well as teacher's kits, slippers, hygiene kits and vitamins. Volunteers for the projects activities are likewise invited to join.”

Prior to the implementation of the program, a full assessment of project sites, a mapping and validation of children at risk on the streets will be done by DepEd in coordination with DSWD and barangay LGUs, who will also provide "tanods" (watchmen) in the project sites to ensure security. To date, there have already been 27 initial areas which were identified as new Kariton Klasrum sites. DTC is tasked with training volunteers and monitoring the program implementation, while DepEd takes care of the curriculum and the program implementation per se.

Luistro added that it should not be the children who will adjust to the education system but the other way around. He also invited everyone to “learn from the children at-risk in streets” and said, “Sana matuto tayo sa mga batang nasa lansangan at makita nating marami pa tayong dapat matutuhan, kasama nila.”

DepEd to hold month-long early registration in public schools nationwide

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The Department of Education (DepEd) has set January 24 to February 27, 2015 as the period for early registration in all public elementary and secondary schools nationwide for SY 2015-2016.

Education Secretary Br. Armin Luistro FSC said that the month-long early registration period will give the Department a clear picture of the total number of expected enrollees and will help in addressing challenges that may arise during the regular enrolment. He added, “Our collective aim is a smooth school opening come June, that is why we are preparing as early as January.”

The early registration aims to ensure that all five-year old children are enrolled in kinder while all six-year olds are enrolled in Grade 1 by June.

Other targets of the early registration are out-of-school children (OSC) and out-of-school youth (OSY) from marginalized sectors, including street children ages 5 to 18. These targeted learners will be provided with their preferred education delivery system which could either be formal through the alternative delivery mode (ADM) or through the alternative learning system (ALS).

To ensure universal participation, DepEd has enlisted the assistance of local and barangay officials for the early registration of OSC, the OSY, those with difficulty in learning and the indigenous peoples (IPs).

The early registration will see DepEd working closely with the LGUs, the Parent-Teachers Associations, barangay officials, civil society groups, civic organizations and the business sector to ensure wide sectoral participation in the exercise of granting all learners access to education.

Documentary requirements DepEd emphasized that there are no fees required for the registration. The birth certificate of the child shall be the documentary basis for early registration. If this is not available during the early registration, the document can be submitted within the school year.

DepEd reiterates “No Collection Policy” in public schools

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The Department of Education (DepEd) reminded all public school authorities that collection of any fees for school activities and celebrations is strictly prohibited.

Education Secretary Br. Armin Luistro FSC said that contributions in public schools should be voluntary. He added that while Parents-Teachers Association may be authorized to collect financial contributions from its members to enable it to implement programs and projects (such as Christmas parties) for the benefit of the students, the fees should be voluntary and agreed upon by the members in a general assembly.

Luistro urged the PTAs to minimize the amount of contributions for ceremonies and extra-curricular activities in consideration of the many expenses that parents incur in sending their children to school.

He said, “The payment of such contributions shall not be made a requirement. Non-payment of voluntary school contributions shall not be made as a basis for non-admission, non-promotion, or non-issuance of clearance to a student—including the withholding of school cards.”

Luistro urged all schools to keep celebrations such as Christmas parties simple yet meaningful.

7th Business Management Students’ Convention : SM exec readies business students for climate risks

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SM Environment Committee head Liza Silerio, addressed the delegates of the 7th Business Management Students’ Convention held in De La Salle University in Manila, November 28, 2014.

"The future business leaders need to be ready for the risks associated with a changing climate, " according to Silerio.

In her speech, she stressed the importance of sustainable measures by future private sector leaders to safeguard local communities during calamities and cushion the impact of an increase in carbon emissions, population, and demand for basic needs. 

she bared the details of SM’s sustainability framework,  as an example of sustainable efforts, a five-level structure that aims to engage different stakeholders, from employees to multinationals.

“Each level reaches a wider array of people which holistically provides a foundation of the sustainability management system of the company,” she said. 

Further, she explained how the SM Group manages to improve its sustainability programs by using a Plan-Do-Check-Act-Report cycle, which plans out and evaluates the events and initiatives of the company within the year. 

“For 2013, our intensity power consumption decreased by 11% at 153 kilowatt hours per square meter per year. This is a 16% decrease since the benchmark year of 2010,” Silerio said, noting the positive impact of the cycle to the company’s energy consumption.

Apart from lowering the intensity consumption, SM also started using renewable solar power in China and the Philippines. 

The Business Management Students’ Convention aimed to spur awareness and commitment to corporate sustainability, environmentalism, and social responsibility by introducing attendees to business approaches, strategies and programs that incorporate sustainability principles.

100% of Mayon-affected schools resume classes

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Ensuring continued delivery of basic education services to all learners in the province, the Department of Education (DepEd) resumed classes in all 78 schools affected by the declaration of Alert Level 3 for Mt. Mayon, September 30.

DepEd schools continue to implement interventions to address the temporary displacement of classes due to temporary evacuation in 40 schools (as of September 29) functioning as evacuation centers. Interventions include provisions of temporary learning spaces (TLS), merging of classes, and other measures that have been proven effective in addressing education during emergencies. DepEd field offices are finalizing arrangements for procurement and distribution of 15,000 chairs and 300 TLS for the schools serving as evacuation centers.

DepEd has issued a call for donations for additional tents, tarps, chairs, and learner’s kits for the affected learners in Albay. As of September 30, education partners have pledged around 12,000 learner’s kits and 190 TLS to DepEd. The Department will arrange its transport and deployment, if needed.

Furthermore, the Department continues to work closely together with local government officials and education cluster partners in monitoring and supervising both the operation of evacuation centers and the delivery of education services to around 55,000 affected learners in Albay.

DepEd supports preparedness efforts of Albay LGU, ensures continued delivery of educ needs in affected schools

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In its mission to ensure the safety of students and school personnel, the Department of Education (DepEd)—in close coordination with the local government unit (LGU) of Albay—has implemented preventive measures such as organizing a skeletal force and safeguarding records and equipment in schools within the permanent danger zone (PDZ) and extended danger zone (EDZ), and preparing evacuation centers ahead of actual evacuation in areas affected by the Mayon volcano disturbance.

Of the 724 schools in the province, 76 have been identified as affected. These affected schools are those within the PDZ and EDZ. Of these, 28 have already resumed classes as of September 23. To date, 676 out of 724 schools have regular classes in the province despite Alert Level 3.

DepEd has implemented interventions to foster a sense of normalcy among learners. The Department has worked together with the local government of Albay and UNICEF for the deployment of 155 tents for the 38 schools used as evacuation centers in five towns and two cities in the province. These evacuation centers are closely monitored and co-managed by DepEd school personnel.

These 38 schools used as evacuation centers are also accommodating the student enrolment of displaced schools to ensure the continued delivery of education needs. For instance, San Jose Elementary School in Malilipot, Albay has taken in Calbayog ES pupils. On September 23, some 1,200 students are expected to report, to be accounted for, while 18 tents are being set up to provide for their needs. School personnel are likewise tasked to do daily tracking of all students by grade level.

Together with the Albay provincial government, DepEd continues to work toward class resumption in affected schools in Albay, Legaspi, Tabaco, and Ligao.