The University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV), through the UPV Action Research Project (UPV ARP), the Department of Education Schools Division of Iloilo (DepEd SDO-Iloilo), and the Iloilo Provincial Government launched two educational modules on youth formation and development at Casa Real de Iloilo on 13 December 2024. The UPV Action Research Project team guided the grassroots teacher-writers in developing the Voter Education Instructional Modules (VEIM) and the Career Guidance Instructional Modules (CGIM).
The Voter Education Instructional Modules (VEIM) aim to develop a citizenry capable of participating effectively, meaningfully, and intelligently in the electoral process in the country. The module lessons were aligned across the various current competencies in Grade 10 Social Studies, which combines experiential, practical, conceptual, and reflective approaches to help engage learners to move towards a more affective experience and the enduring notion of democracy and the larger electoral process as one of its most cherished functioning elements.
Meanwhile, the Career Guidance Instructional Modules (CGIM) were designed to guide Junior and Senior High School learners in choosing a career based on the country’s labor requirements. The module lessons were designed through grassroots-based inputs from practicing Iloilo-based licensed guidance counselors aimed at facilitating career decision-making. It allows students to reflectively explore various career options aligned with the national development needs and their interests and capabilities. Retired UPV Prof. Evelyn O. Alobba acted as consultant and Ms. Paula Khryss Ushiyama as co-team member in the development and pilot-testing team of the CGIM.
These modules were developed under the Bulig Eskwela sang Probinsya (BES PROBINS) program of Governor Arthur “Toto” Defensor, Jr. (UP High School alumnus) that aims to position the education sector of the province to strategically support the achievement of the national development targets.
During the ceremony, Governor Defensor said that “the provincial government wants to establish an educational system that will meet the human resource needs of the government, the economy, and the industry.” He also added that “we [in the provincial government] want to contribute our fair share in the creation of a human resource and an electorate that is intelligent.”
Asst. Prof. Donne Jone P. Sodusta, UPV ARP Assistant Project Manager for Youth Formation and Development, on the other hand said, “If we want to teach students to be informed voters, then their experience of democracy, especially the electoral process, should start young and should start in our schools.”
Moreover, Asst. Prof. Helen Grace Concepcion-Fernandez, UPV ARP Advocate and Implementer said, “This is our humble offering in keeping our pledge as Iskolar ng Bayan to serve the Nation.”
The launching was attended by module writers from the Schools Division of Iloilo, DepEd Region VI Director Ramir B. Uytico, CESO III, DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara, the Iloilo Provincial Government officials, and guests.
The development of the two modules on youth formation and development was collaborated by the UPV Division of Professional Education faculty and staff, graduate students, and alumni, which started in October 2022. The launching was the UPV ARP Team’s #LastAksyonfor2024, and they are looking forward to more #AksyonDayon in 2025. (With notes from Asst. Prof. Donne Jone P. Sodusta)