DepEd Region I and GPF Philippines sign a Memorandum of Agreement.
The Global Peace Foundation (GPF) Philippines, in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd), continues to advance education reform through its Transforming Education Program (TEdP), strengthening character formation, moral leadership, and holistic development across the Philippine education system.
A key highlight of this initiative in 2025 was the Phase 3 Training of Trainers on Creating a Model of Transforming Education with Character and Holistic Development, held from December 3–5, 2025, at Marand Resort in Bauang, La Union. The three-day training convened education leaders from 14 Schools Division Offices in DepEd Region I, including superintendents, supervisors, and school heads, equipping them to serve as lead trainers and champions of transformative education in their respective divisions.
Dr. Tony Devine, Vice President of Education at Global Peace Foundation.
The training featured expert-led sessions delivered by Dr. Tony Devine, Vice President of Education at Global Peace Foundation, who guided participants through the Transforming Education Blueprint and the foundations of moral and innovative leadership. He was joined by Ann Marlita Montejo Arevalo, Education Director of GPF Philippines, and Mary Grace Rago, a. program coordinator, among others, who provided contextual guidance, facilitated interactive learning sessions, and supported action planning for regional implementation.
The training focused on redefining the purpose of education beyond academic achievement by emphasizing lifelong character development, ethical leadership, and the holistic growth of learners. Sessions explored the foundations of character formation, moral and innovative leadership, school culture transformation, and the integration of values in education systems. Participants also engaged in peer learning and action planning to support sustainable implementation at the regional and school levels.
During the opening plenary, DepEd Region I and GPF Philippines formalized their partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement, reinforcing their shared commitment to institutionalizing character-based, values-driven education across the region.
Participant feedback reflected strong outcomes, with education leaders reporting high readiness to implement the Transforming Education framework, cascade training to schools, and advocate for holistic development within their divisions. Many emphasized the importance of personal transformation and values-based leadership for strengthening school communities and nurturing responsible, ethical citizens.
Educators in the Philippines participate in a Train the Trainers program hosted by GPF.
Beyond regional training, GPF Philippines strengthened national collaboration by coordinating with the National Educators Academy of the Philippines (NEAP). The discussion focused on aligning the Transforming Education framework with national education reforms and exploring pathways for quality assurance, sustainability, and potential expansion to other regions. NEAP leaders affirmed their support for the program and committed to providing technical guidance to enhance its institutional integration.
GPF Philippines also engaged in consultations on proposals to institutionalize Character Building and Moral Recovery Programs for school leaders and teachers, providing technical input grounded in GPF’s Transforming Education Blueprint.
Through strategic partnerships with DepEd, higher education institutions, civil society organizations, and the private sector, the Transforming Education Program continues to reach educators across multiple regions in the Philippines, advancing a holistic model of learning that centers character, leadership, and service. By empowering education leaders to strengthen families, cultivate ethical leadership, and promote a culture of service, GPF Philippines contributes to social cohesion and long-term peacebuilding at the community level.
Participants of Phase 3 Training of Trainers on Creating a Model of Transforming Education with Character and Holistic Development.
This work is part of the Global Peace Foundation’s broader international effort to reimagine education as a force for unity and human flourishing. Across continents, the Transforming Education initiative fosters values-based learning that uplifts whole persons, bridges divides, and equips learners of all ages to contribute to resilient communities, ethical societies, and sustainable peace.
Discover more about GPF’s Transforming Education initiatives.
