CEBU CITY— The Federation of Associations of
Private School Administrators (FAPSA) gathers small- and medium-sized private
schools in the Philippines to a 2-day National Annual Convergence on April 4-5
at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel, Salinas Drive, Cebu City with the theme
“Strengthening the Synergistic Partnerships Among Small and Medium-Sized (SMS)
Private Schools.”
Dr. Reynaldo Chua Jr., FAPSA president,
underscores the importance of small and medium-sized private schools coming
together to convey their concerns to the government in a unified manner. While there are several organizations for
schools, FAPSA focuses on the concerns of small and medium-sized schools, and
other stakeholders, Dr. Chua explained.
Amid the educational challenges faced in the
Philippines, small- and medium-sized private schools hold a crucial position in
offering quality education at reasonable tuition fees. Nevertheless, these
schools must present a cohesive stance when addressing their concerns to the
government, Chua added.
FAPSA marks its 26th anniversary during the
convention and will feature updates on education, sharing of best practices,
and adoption of technology in the academe.
Marivic Bathan, president of Children’s
Paradise Montessori School and FAPSA Regional President for Region VII, said
the organization chose Cebu as the venue for the event to encourage more
institutions to join FAPSA.
Bathan explained that having more small and
medium-sized private schools is more sustainable because the teachers can focus
more on the students in each class which is smaller in number compared to
bigger schools. She also urged school administrators to join the organization
because of the benefits they would enjoy.
While it was originally established as an
organization of administrators of small and medium-sized private schools, FAPSA
has transitioned to become an educational community organization that now
includes teachers, non-teaching personnel, parents, and students of private
schools, colleges, and universities.
The organization aims to bring to the
government's attention the concerns and issues of the educators and
administrators of small and medium-sized private schools as well as those of
other stakeholders.
Among its objectives are cooperating with the government in
providing solutions to problems that affect the academic standards in worldwide
ranking, and placing the Philippines back in the global educational landscape.
Dr. Chua explained that FAPSA has been
providing inputs to the Department of Education (DepEd) and bringing the
concerns of members to the attention of the government. The organization submits position papers to
explain the different issues affecting the operation of the small and
medium-sized private schools as well as the other stakeholders, he added.
The organization also consults members on
issues before coming up with a position paper that would be representative of
all its members. One of the concerns
supported by FAPSA is the provision of subsidies for learners from kindergarten
up to Grade 10.
Because of the government subsidy provided to
senior high school students who study in private schools, many of them prefer
going to private schools, Dr. Chua said.
However, the private schools found that these students who come from
public schools have to be taught basic education, especially Mathematics and
English.
FAPSA had lobbied for the inclusion of learners
from kindergarten to Grade 10 in the granting of subsidies to correct this
situation. He then urged administrators
of small and medium-sized schools, especially in Visayas and Mindanao, to
become FAPSA members so their voices can also be included when the organization
lobbies for some issues and concerns.
“Our ultimate goal is to make the education
system in the Philippines better and of quality so that we will not be left
behind our neighboring countries,” Dr. Chua stressed.
Chua added that FAPSA also has programs that
would help the members including sharing of best practices, providing advice
for problems encountered, and other programs such as FAPSA scholarships.
Schedule
of events at the convention
On the morning of April 4, the plenary speakers
include Department of Education (DepEd) Undersecretary for Curriculum and
Instruction Dr. Gina O. Gonong, DepEd Assistant Secretary for Operations
Francis Cesar “Panchet” Bringas, and Rep. Roman T. Romulo, chairperson of Basic
Education and Culture of the House of Representatives.
Asec Bringas will discuss the topic “The
Significance of the Complementarity Between DepEd and Small and Medium-Sized
Private Schools” while Dr. Gonong will explain “The Impact of the MATATAG
Curriculum in Educational Development Among Private Schools and Rep. Romulo
will give an update on the Consolidated House Bills Relevant to the Small and Medium-Sized Private Schools
(E-GASTPE, School Calendar, and Multiple Pathways, etc.). There will be three breakout sessions in the
afternoon for School Owners and Administrators, Teachers, Parents, and
Students. On the breakout session for school owners and
administrators, Leck Seng Lee, vice president for partnership of Sing-Ed Global
House in Singapore will discuss a School Excellence Mode.
The session for teachers will be facilitated by
Fr. Loreto Jaque, first Biodanza Practitioner in the Philippines, Licensed
Laughter Yoga Facilitator, and Certified Play and Expressive Arts Therapist.
Fr. Jaque will focus on the “Re-Ensouling Education: Bringing Back the Soul in
the Classroom.
The session for parents will have Coach Mark
Saballa, co-founder of Coaching Space and Inclusion Specialist and Consultant,
as the facilitator on the topic Bridging the Gap: Reaching Out to the New
Generation of Learners.
The Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAF)-Center
For Leaders will facilitate the breakout session for students, the Kabataan,
Makialam!: Empowering Youth To Conquer Today’s Realities For Future Triumphs.
The representatives of each group will present
the output of the breakout sessions. The first day will end with a fellowship
night where there will be special presentations from different groups. The next
day, Lee will discuss the topic “Using AI Technology to Enhance Students’
Performance.There will be panel discussions on three
topics: Lessons for Navigating Leadership Voyage to the Future, Developing
Human Capital in the Digital Economy, and Wisdom as Capital in Creating
Prosperous Communities.
Rhodora Angela Ferrer, Executive Director of
the Private Education Assistance Committee, will speak on Strengthening
Partnerships Among Small and Medium-Sized Private Schools Towards Effective
Advocacy for the Sector.
There will be special messages from Vice
President Sara Z. Duterte, Secretary of Education, and Senator Sherwin
Gatchalian, chairperson of the House of Representatives Basic Education, Arts,
and Culture Committee.
The two-day event will end with an oath-taking
and “Haligi Ng Karunungan Recognition” for school owners and administrators,
teaching and non-teaching personnel, parents, students, and other school
stakeholders. (Photos: FAPSA/Robby Alugar)
