A few Saturdays ago, I attended a round table discussion headed by Professor Rolando dela Cruz, the president of Darwin International School System. Our discussion was focused on what schools can offer to help our students excel and make the most of their education, specifically what Darwin International School System's role is in the furtherance of Philippine education. We spent a very engaging exchange of ideas for practically four hours. An overtime I must say for a lunch meeting. It was right timing for me as I am scouting for a high school where I can enroll my daughter next year. I have my own standards and preferences based on my daughter's abilities and inclinations but I welcome ideas from an educator and fellow parents.
Let me share the highlights of our discussion which parents like me can explore while guiding our children in the process of learning and education.
1. An education system which can compete globally hence should be international in orientation.
*Humanities is a part of the curriculum at Darwin International School starting from pre-school to high school. Japanese and French languages are also integrated as part of the students' language skills development.*
My thoughts, the integration of other languages is an important aspect in a multi-cultural environment. The world has long embraced diversity. The children can start through proper communication and understanding of the different languages and cultures of other countries.
2. An education system geared towards excellence.
*One of the goals of Darwin International School is to develop top graduates accepted in top universities in the country. For the record, 100% of all the graduating students of Darwin passed in the country's top schools.
• Ateneo, 25 %
• University of the Philippines, 45%
• De La Salle University-Manila, 92%
• University of Santo Tomas, San Beda & Mapua Institute of Technology, 100%
For the last three years, Darwin consistently topped the NCAE (National Career Assessment Examination) in the Division of Bulacan. This year, the school ranked 2nd in the National Achievement Test (NAT) in the Division of Bulacan.
3. Investing more for a quality education.
*Asked about the proposed 12 year education program instead of 10 years, Prof. Rolando asserts that "it should be 12 years of quality education". We cannot attribute to the 10-year education cycle whatever misgivings we have in the progress of our students today.
4. Asked by one participant about the one educational reform he can suggest that will give the greatest impact in the Philippine education system, Prof. Rolando replied, "changing the mindset by being accountable for your learning and education".
It's not only adding budget, teachers and structures that will help enhance our educational system but more on knowing that one is accountable with what you are learning and how you are using it. Education is personal. It is what you can do for yourself and eventually for your community. This goes for all involved - the teachers, the parents and the students themselves.
The participants with Professor Rolando dela Cruz in the middle and Miss Claire Agbayani, the facilitator (second from right).
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Professor Rolando dela Cruz is the president of Darwin International School System located in Bulacan - Malolos, Sta. Maria, San Jose Delmonte. He is a former UP professor, a scholar from different schools abroad including Cambridge University. Darwin offers pre-school, elementary and high school education. His school adopts a Cambridge-style eductation which encourages the development of a reading culture.
Darwin is the only school in Region III that offers a full-fledged Cambridge-based Honours Program wherein all enrollees need to maintain a very high annual average from nursery to high school. Darwin’s comprehensive internationally-oriented program makes its graduates shoe-ins for the top universities in the country.
***Check out more weekend sharing at Pixel Bug Weekend.
Wow! That's an interesting discussion, wish I was there to witness it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!
Your welcome, Salen. It was really enriching.
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing, that would help us in guiding our kids for education
ReplyDeleteSalen, I mean "You're welcome". Haha, OC attack.
ReplyDeleteAnne, I appreciate that you feel that way. :)
that was a very enlightening post. but i also hope 'modification of behavior' is included in a school's curriculum, lol! some students are simply stubborn, no matter how good the school is, if the student is not taking his studies very seriously coz he's preoccupied with something else, sometimes, what the school has to offer doesn't seem to work. just an observation..
ReplyDeleteKIMMY, Hi! It's good to note that you find the post enlightening. I agree with you about "behavior modification". The teachers should be oriented and this should be implemented in schools since children have different ways by which they grasp concepts and different ways by which they learn, different ways of adapting to school programs. Unfortunately, most schools live in a box in terms of engaging with their students.
ReplyDeleteHi! This is Prof. Rolando Dela Cruz. You can just call me Rollie. First, thanks Lyn for writing this piece. I really appreciate it. Second, yes, behavior modification is one of the programs of Darwin. It is true that more and more students these days all over the world are getting stubborn and/or not interested in their studies.
ReplyDeleteThere are at least three possibilities why this is happening.
First, the kid might be an ADHD child. This condition is not his fault because he is born with it. He cannot easily control the chemical reactions happening in his brain. Thus, he is so hyperactive, not so good in following rules, does not seem to be afraid of risky actions, and the like. There are two options here: modifying his behavior through medicine affecting his brain, which I do not subscribe to; and, instilling discipline, which is so difficult to do but could be life-changing. I prefer the latter, but this only works well if the parent is extremely cooperative. He should also be willing to let his child undergo psychological therapy, if needed.
I have had students who are ADHD kids, yet many of them are very successful students, some of them now are even in top universities of the country. The nice thing about ADHD kids is that a great many of them are extremely intelligent. And because they are not afraid of taking risks, they could even be visionaries and highly creative.
The second possible reason is that the child is just by nature lazy. Some educators believe that laziness is a myth. But personally, I have met many lazy people, young and old alike. These are people who refuse to work, refuse to sacrifice, unmotivated 99% of the time, complains a lot about finishing what they have started doing, so uninterested in pushing themselves to the limit, generally bored with life and prefers to be dependent on others. Surely, their environment at home could have influenced them. But at the same time, we should not discount the role both of free will and even genetics. But in fairness to some of them, some really struggle hard against laziness. It could be that they know it is a problem destroying them, yet they cannot seem to control themselves to resist it. Thus, this is also a psychological phenomenon.
ReplyDeleteThe third possible reason could simply be the lack of parental monitoring at home that leads these young people to vices. Such vices could include addiction to television or violent computer games, among others. Some of these objects of addiction are not bad by themselves - tv, computer and cell phones to name a few - but become tools for sure failure when abused.
In truth, many children face problems due to a combination of these three, plus other factors.
For all these three causes, Darwin implements a serious Code of Conduct to instill discipline. The rules are implemented fairly and firmly. Students know the consequences of their actions and are made accountable for their daily decisions. The parents are always called for discussions on how to handle the problem of their children. The kids are monitored and counseled regularly by both teachers and administrators. Feedback to parents is part of the equation, and parents are expected to cooperate. No great program can help children if the parents do not cooperate with the school.
ReplyDeleteThe children, in general,are made aware of the school's high expectations. But as we know, this by itself just won't work automatically; the students are oriented and trained through the years on how to dream and dream big. Only children with dreams will be motivated to be disciplined and to accomplish in social contexts, whether in school or in society as a whole. Dreams and good attitude lead children to success in life. Of course, it is so necessary, too, to bring them close to God as success not anchored on the spiritual is empty, even bumpy.
If you are interested to know more about things you can do to help your children, I suggest you get a copy of the book THE EDUCATED CHILD: A PARENT'S GUIDE FROM PRESCHOOL THROUGH EIGHTH GRADE by William Bennett. It should still be available at Power Books or Fully Booked. If not, you could just order it at Amazon.
Good luck to all of you! God bless.
Hi Rollie! Thank you for sharing your insights. I agree with you that parents play a great role in motivating children to study. Sometimes I get impatient in asking my daughter to study but I just have to be consistent. Glad to note that the past months she does her assignments now before playing or watching tv.
ReplyDeleteI just wish all schools implement behavior modification to help/guide both parents and children.
I actually implement this myself. Great Post. I agree one hundred percent.You really did a great job.To share your information with us. I enjoy your blog so wanted to come check out this post.
ReplyDelete