Two Memoranda of Agreement (MOAs) were inked this 2022 which aims to assist Daycare Teachers in Cebu by localized book development and by offering a Master of Arts in Special Education with a Specialization in Moderate to Severe Disabilities (MA SpEd- MSD).
The first agreement is between the University of San Jose-Recoletos School of Education and the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI). The University received a grant from RAFI through the Dolores Aboitiz Children’s Fund (DACF) to integrate a play-based learning approach using decodable books as instructional materials produced by Child Development Teachers in select RAFI-DACF Child Development Centers.
The DACF has approved funding and support for the (1) one-year implementation of the project titled “Integrating Play-based Learning Approach to Enhance the Seven Areas of Development and Level of Awareness on Sustainability Principles Among Daycare Pupils Using Localized and Contextualized Decodable Books” to be implemented between October 2022 and October 2023.
The signing ceremony took place in the RAFI Plenary Room on September 16. Dean Jestoni P. Babia of the USJ-R School of Education, Chair Ma. Aira Chenessa Aguilar of the Teacher Education Department, Executive Coordinator Benedict Candia of the USJ-R ESD Center, Project Research Director Rex Villavelez, and ESD Secretary Kenneth Vergel Cadungog attended. The executive heads of RAFI- DACF namely RAFI COO Riella Mae Christa Guioguio, RAFI DACF Program Head Jenny Lea Menchavez, and Program Director for Health Dr. Giselle Gaviola were present.
The second agreement is for the USJ-R School of Education to partner with the Foundation for Advance Professional Development Inc. (FAPDI). It aims to promote and upgrade the skills of qualified elementary and secondary teachers and other professionals in Special Education, by offering Master of Arts in Special Education with Specialization in Moderate to Severe Disabilities (MA SpEd – MSD). It will be delivered online, onsite, or both as necessary.
This project also aims to prepare Filipino Special Education teacher professionals for international teaching positions in the United States and elsewhere in the world.
The ceremony took place at the USJ-R Main Campus on October 12 with University President Rev. Fr. Eduardo Celiz Jr. OAR as well as FAPDI representatives namely President Ligaya Avenida and Consultant Nerissa Lopez.
The Dean of the School of Education stated that he will prioritize strengthening regional and international cooperation in order to bring the USJ-R School of Education in line with ASEAN and international requirements.
“The USJ-R School of Education’s legacy is to create more programs for our community, particularly for our teachers, so that they are well-prepared to create a future and a world that is sustainable and transformative for the students and future generations,” he said.
With these new initiatives in effect, the USJ-R School of Education took yet another step in continuing to demonstrate its commitment and dedication to helping communities and individuals through the power of education and various sustainable learning efforts.
/SED with LMA
