QUEZON CITY, April 21 2018 – Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones encouraged the 12 delegates of the 2018 Korea-Philippines Teacher Exchange Programme (KPTEP) to bring home as much learning as they can while they are deployed in seven schools in Korea from March 27 to June 23.
“Sana, you make it worth it. Only think in terms of what you can bring home, how you can improve your teaching, how you can be effective as a teacher,” Briones shared.
The Education chief gave the reminder during the exchange teachers’ pre-departure and courtesy visit last March 23 at the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization Regional Center for Educational Innovation and Technology (SEAMEO INNOTECH) in Diliman, Quezon City. Joining her in welcoming the delegates were International Cooperation Office (ICO) Director Margarita Consolacion C. Ballesteros and other DepEd officials.
The KPTEP exchange teachers were Leah Ailah C. Vicencio of Tañong Integrated School, Malabon City; Chelou D. Lasaca of Lupang Pangako Elementary School, Quezon City; Julita L. Macaranas of Silangan Elementary School, Taguig City; Erwin B. Berry of Bagbaguin National High School, Valenzuela City; Reynaldo A. Gayas Jr. of Las Piñas National High School, Las Pinas City; George B. Borromeo of P. Guevarra Elementary School, City of Manila; Leovigilda G. Gempisao of Pedro Cruz Elementary School, Mandaluyong City; Elvie R. Cabebe of San Antonio Elementary School, Makati City; Lawrence C. Arabia of Sto. Niño Elementary School, Parañaque City; Marco D. Meduranda of Navotas National High School, Navotas; Mylene C. Tuvillleja of Bayanan Elementary School Unit I, Muntinlupa City; and Emraida P. Layag of Bagong Silangan Elementary School, Quezon City.
The Education Secretary also encouraged the delegation to observe the Korean culture, and their ways with each other: “So I hope you observe how the Korean teachers behave with each other, with other teachers, superiors, and of course, the learners, how they behave with their fellow learners and to their teachers, that is a good thing for us to look at.”
Interacting with the Secretary, the exchange teachers readily answered her questions, such as “What were you looking for?” or “Did you find what you are looking for?” and “What will you bring home?”
“Make the most of your trip there, I hope that you will be examples to your learners and peers and continue to provide quality education accessible to all,” she said in conclusion.
The KPTEP is initiated by the Ministry of Education (MOE) of the Republic of Korea and implemented through the Asia-Pacific Centre of Education for International Understanding (APCEIU). The MOE of Korea and DepEd began the program in 2012 under the framework of the Asia-Pacific Exchange for Global Education (APTE) and on the basis of the Cultural Agreement between the Republic of the Philippines and Republic of Korea on April 27, 1973.
The program aims to provide Korean and Filipino teachers opportunities to learn from each other’s education system; deepen cultural understanding; build inter-cultural communicative competency in teaching while collaborating with local teachers; and strengthen networks in education between the two countries.