I like your thinking. Can I get a link or at least more info so I may go forth and search for the information myself. I have a small child just starting school here and am familiar with their short comings and would like to take an active support/participatory role in her education and don't really know where to start. I realize this is somewhat vague and that is due to my inexperience in said subject. Any input would be greatly appreciated! Dave D
Hi Dave, Alas and alack I fear I have opened a can of worms. Asian educational methods and particularly Philippine schools sadly lag far behind Western models. Hence the teaching strategy , "I talk, you listen, you learn". That's why so many graduates from Nursing etc are unable to pass the Board exams for Western practice - as a previous correspondent remarked. They just don't equip 'em with critical thinking skills. My thought is that this starts right from the get word go in the schools. I think they do a wonderful job with values, community involvement and the extra curriculum stuff - the kids and families are well and truly involved and schools seem at the heart of baranguays. Long may that last. However, the art of teaching, pedagogy if you like seems stuck in the dark ages. Learn by rote, supply the facts and test 'em. The Phils is a million miles from assessing teaching quality or developing kids in ways I spoke of in my last post. So unfortunately, there is no information I can let you have. I'll finish by telling a story: I did a workshop in my speciality (something medically related) for a bunch of staff at Silliman a few years back. A wonderful welcome, some great people and some very talented clinicians. But could I get them to move off their backsides to engage and experiment with the skills? It was like watching tumbleweed pass - they just wanted me to talk and talk and talk. A lot of work needs to be done I am afraid. I don't want to d*mn everything educationally here btw. Every academic or teacher I meet here is dedicated to their students and does their level best given the woeful lack of resources. Amazing folk.
Oops...pressed post by accident mate. My advice to you is just simply to be involved on behalf of your kid. Teachers thrive on active supportive involvement with their school. It is a hard job to do and so by simply being interested in your child's progress is reward enough for them. I think you knew that already!
Thank you for the reply. I appreciate the candor. Yes, I will remain involved and try to challenge my daughter to seek answers and knowledge not just remember what the teacher says etc... IMPO knowledge (especially for women in developing countries) is power.
I have 5 children in Negros Oriental Montessori International School "SIMON" (reverse acronym). Great space and teachers and I am very impressed with the principal who has a Doctorate in Psychology and studied with Maria Montessori in the USA. The new K to 12 system requires lessons to be in the local dialect - SIMON still uses English for all lessons except Tagalog.
Yoyax said: ↑ Can you also help me... What about good elementary schools in Dumaguete, what are these schools? ----- answer ----- Good day I believe the best public elementary schools in Dumaguete City are West City Science Elementary School & West City Exceptional Child Learning Center (SPED). These elementary schools are for the Exceptionally Gifted Fast Learner Children. Most Department of Education (DepEd) teachers have either earned masters degree relative to the field they are teaching or currently pursuing masters degree. You can test it for yourself. Try matching the knowledge learned by an ordinary elementary student from West City Science Elementary School or West City Exceptional Child Learning Center from a student who is on the honor roll from any other elementary school in Dumaguete City, then see for yourself the results. Thank you.
Just curious if anyone has thought about home schooling. There is a ton of stuff on the internet. I assume most people are retired so have the time to dedicate to their children at least at the k-8 level. I guess the challenge is when some advanced material becomes challenging for the parent as well.
That's when you turn to Kahn Academy www.khanacademy.org well, depending on your internet connection I supose. Also good if you just want to learn or are curious about something.
I think home schooling is a great idea, if they need to learn it, it should be something you know too.
