It is in great sadness that the College of Education announces the passing of Professor Emeritus Dr. Milagros D. Ibe (November 28, 1931-April 22, 2023). We remember Dr. Ibe as a well-loved professor, mentor, and colleague.

Rest in peace, Ma’am Mila!

The University of the Philippines College of Education is one with the UP community in calling on the UP System and the Board of Regents to observe principles of transparency and democratic governance in all their actions and decisions. These principles are vital in the University’s promotion of justice in our society and pursuit of excellence. Without these principles, an enabling environment for the promotion and attainment of the University’s goals and aspirations will sadly be difficult to achieve.

Despite the community’s overwhelming preference for the election of Dr. Fidel Nemenzo for a second term as chancellor of UP Diliman- as demonstrated by the explicit expression of support of the student, faculty, and staff regents, joined by a fourth regent, in the days leading up to the vote on 3 April 2023- the Board of Regents (BOR), the highest policy-making body of the System, still decided to ignore the community’s voice and preference.

We are urging the System and the BOR to adhere to the principles of transparency, accountability, and democratic governance in their actions and decisions by allowing the community to subject these to scrutiny. We join the community in guarding and upholding these cherished UP principles and values. No less than the survival of the University of the Philippines as an institution of honor and excellence is at stake.

The UP Diliman University Council (UC) approved on March 20 the College of Education’s (CEd) curriculum proposal for the Minor in Alternative Learning System (ALS) program, boosting efforts to to provide alternative means of education to marginalized Filipino learners.

According to Prof. Maria Mercedes E. Arzadon, one of the proponents of the minor program, the UC’s approval means that any student from the College of Education and other UP colleges can take the program to be a mobile teacher, instructional manager, administrator, material creator, researcher, resource generator, policy analyst, and advocate for ALS in the Department of Education (DepEd), non-governmental organizations (NGOs), local government units (LGUs), foundations, and other ALS providers.

“Ito ang ambag ng aming kolehiyo sa ALS cause. Sana marami ring colleges/universities ang maki-ambag (ayon sa new ALS Law RA 11510, bawat HEI should have their undergrad program for ALS),” Prof. Arzadon said in her Facebook post announcing the UC decision.

This is the country’s first minor program, and its approval was reported in the media.

Philstar.com, an online arm of the Star Group of Publications which publishes The Philippine STAR, reported that approval in its March 21 story by Cristina Chi titled, “UP to offer minor in alternative learning to create more community teachers.”

The story said that the program was the first of its kind in the country which would allow students to specialize in teaching marginalized communities.

Further, it cited statistics showing that the Philippines had seven million out-of-school youth, the fifth largest in the world, which led to the passage of a law to institutionalize ALS in 2020.

Scout, a publication of Hinge Inquirer Publications, also picked up the story on the institutionalization of the Minor Program in ALS.

In the story by Kleo Catienza titled, “PH’s first-ever minor program in alternative learning will soon be offered at UP,” Scout also started by reporting on UPD’s historic approval of the ALS minor program.

In the story, it explained that ALS was a parallel learning system giving an alternative pathway for those who had no access to formal education.

In celebration of Women’s Month, the Art Education Area, in partnership with ARTVAN and supported by the College of Education GAD Committee, held art education seminars and workshops on March 25, 2023, Saturday, for the College of Education community. The topics included Art Criticism Strategies for Basic Education by Jonathan Quines, Visual thinking Strategies for Basic Education by Rikka Gonzales, Bleach Printing by Bernadette Reyes, and Yarn Mandala by Apoy EJ Jacinto.  

Meanwhile, the virtual exhibit Baé was also launched on March 25 as part of the program. The show puts together the works of College of Education students, faculty, and ARTVAN artists to celebrate the roles and contributions of women. You may scan the QR code below or go to this link to view the exhibit: https://www.artsteps.com/view/6416c22c28a5d57eac979081.

Additionally, the UP College of Education Student Council has the following activities for Women’s Month:

– Launching of Gender Helpdesk: March 27, 2023
– Oh, my GAD! A Webinar on Eduk’s Role in Women Empowerment: March 27 (9:00 AM – 11:10 AM)
– KakaiBABAE: Features: March 29 – Paglaom: A Webinar on Empowering Women Through Reality Therapy: March 30 (2:00 PM – 3:30 PM)