UP Visayas collaborated with the Department of Education Region VI for the webinar “Re-thinking Araling Panlipunan Curriculum: Relevance, Responsiveness and Inclusivity” from May 4-6, 2022. The webinar conducted through Zoom was attended by Araling Panlipunan supervisors and teachers from all over Region 6.
Dr. Elena Gonzaga, Chief of the Management and Learning Division, welcomed everyone on behalf of DepEd VI Regional Director, Dr. Ramir B. Uytico. Chancellor Clement Camposano, in his opening message, expressed his appreciation of the UPV and DepEd engagement where scholars from the academe can impart results of their research, which can be helpful in the teaching of DepEd subjects. He prodded the participants to “change and be relevant” as he told them to encourage their learners to transcend into global citizens.
Dr. Mary Hazel Vivien P. Pineda, AP Regional Supervisor from DepEd VI, gave the updates on the AP Curriculum Implementation. Dr. Rowel Padernal discussed “Reshaping/Enhancement of AP Curriculum,” which described Araling Panlipunan as a complex and conglomerated course of study that cannot be separated from other Social Sciences. Hence, he expressed that there is a need to adapt and be responsive to the needs of the learners. Dr. Nestor Paul M. Pingil also lectured on the “Reshaping/Enhancement of AP Curriculum,” which gave an idea of the rudiments of teaching AP. He shared the assessment of the 21st-century skills assessment and the problems that beset the AP curriculum in Region VI, as discussed by Dr. Pineda.
Prof. Dominique J. Maquiran of UP Visayas talked about “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity: The Theory and Praxis of Translocal-Transcultural Education in the Teaching of Araling Panlipunan.” He emphasized that all is political and interest-driven. “There is nothing wrong with grand theories, but practice it in the classroom. Localize it, find it in the classroom, practice translocal education, democratize, and advocate inclusion,” Maquiran said.
Dr. Randy M. Madrid presented Philippine History in the Teaching of Araling Panlipunan in Basic and Higher Education. Madrid highlighted that lives, as shaped by a particular place, are a major determinant of how our lives are weaved. Each locality is unique and representative of diverse cultures through space and time. The spirit of the place that made local history comes from ordinary people. Hence, this should be valued. He also focused on creating a local registry of their respective communities’ cultural and historical heritage through the Cultural Mapping, which is a good source of information for AP Teaching.
Meanwhile, Prof. Ronela S. Jundos talked about “Mainstreaming Indigenous Peoples in the Teaching of Araling Panlipunan.” She called to attention the appreciation of culture beyond the information given by various media. She also presented the lives of the IP in various video presentations.
Dr. Clement C. Camposano spoke on “Teaching Ethnography.” He detailed that ethnography is tireless research, immersion, and participation. The methods of ethnographical research include understanding the culture of a particular group of people. For his part, Dr. Sanley S. Abila gave the Introduction to “Research Ethics Standards in Social Sciences for Basic Education.” He maintained that research must be ethical and legal. “Protection of informants should be of utmost importance,” he stated.
In his closing message, Prof. Pepito Fernandez, Chair of the Division of Professional Education in UP Visayas, voiced his appreciation of the fruitful initial engagement. He also encouraged more collaborations in the future. He also asked the participants to create a world that is interactive outside of the internet. “Let us build a holistic and nurturing educational system for all our stakeholders. Communication lines with UPV are open to discuss future activities to enhance our partnerships,” he said.
The three-day webinar was spearheaded by Dr. Hazel Pineda, Regional Education Supervisor for Araling Panlipunan, in coordination with Anna Razel L. Ramirez, Project Development Assistant of the Office of the Chancellor.
