Two hundred and ninety-seven educators, administrators, and experts from five regions in the Philippines participated in the first Character and Creativity Initiative (CCI) summit to address “Transforming School Culture by Educating the Total Child.” The summit, organized by Global Peace Foundation Philippines and the Department of Education was convened on October 19, 2016 at Philippine Normal University, the National Center for Teacher Education.
Dr. Tony Devine, Vice President of Education for Global Peace Foundation, stressed the importance of raising the “total child,” particularly character and creativity competencies. Dr. Devine introduced the five Character and Creativity Standards (Purpose, Character, Creativity, Relationships, and Learning) which encapsulate the top 15 leadership competencies to ensure students’ success in life and the workplace.
He also emphasized the importance of public, private, and social partnerships to achieve a deeper impact in solving today’s complex problems in education. “The government, schools, business, and non-profit sectors must not work separately but work together to solve the problems of the modern world through innovative and ethical leadership,” Dr. Devine said.
A panel including education supervisors, principals, and teachers from the divisions and select schools that have piloted CCI in the Philippines, examined their experiences and outcomes of implementing the program. Mrs. Normita Ocampo, an education program supervisor from the Division of Aurora, detailed the impacts of CCI on educators, learners, and school culture. “There was an increase in the development of good character and respect to school heads, teachers, and other students among the learners,” she shared. Mrs. Ocampo also reported fewer absenteeism in CCI pilot schools adding, “The academic performance of students has increased, as well as the performance rating of teachers.”
Representatives from GPF Philippines partner institutions including Emil Tapnio, program director of Philippine Development Foundation; Bienvenido Marquez, executive director of Hands on Manila; and, Arlita Narag, corporate social responsibility head of Samsung Philippines, presented a variety of platforms and initiatives to advance leadership and innovative skills in schools and communities. There was consensus across the board that entrepreneurship, technology, digital learning, and leadership development can upgrade the learning experience and impact of education to 21st century educators and learners.
During the summit, Global Peace Foundation announced its plans to launch LEAP Hubs in the Philippines in 2017. LEAP Hubs, a program first piloted in Kenya, is a dedicated space within high schools where students are provided with training and mentorship as they develop their innovations into business ventures and social enterprises. The Hub is a public-private sector partnership that supports creativity, entrepreneurship, and innovation.
Global Peace Education’s recent work through Character and Creativity Initiatives in the Philippines, Kenya, and Indonesia will be further explored during the Global Peace Convention 2017. See the Transforming Education track for more details.