Recognizing the important role of the teacher in shaping and influencing the lives of their students, the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization, Regional Center for Educational Innovation and Technology (SEAMEO INNOTECH) organized a knowledge forum for teachers.
With the theme, “Hand in Hand we Stand – Parents, Teachers and the Community making a better world for our students,” the forum was organized by the SEAMEO INNOTECH last week in celebration of this year’s National Teachers' Month (NTM) and World Teacher’s Day (WTD).
The half-day blended forum was held face-to-face at the INNOTECH Pearl Hall for invited teachers and education officials. Most of the teacher participants joined online via the Zoom platform.
The forum brought together the partnership aspect of the overall message for the 2022 NTM which is “iTeach for a Better Future” and that of the Department of Education (DepED) which is “Gurong Pilipino, Dangal ng Sambayanang Pilipino.”
The forum presented and led the participants to reflect on inspiring teachers and parents collaborating to ensure that children continue learning despite the pandemic.
Engaging the community to create a sense of shared responsibility in taking care of one another was also highlighted during the forum.
Likewise, the program also presented relevant INNOTECH knowledge products and services that relate to teacher well-being.
The knowledge forum was led by Metrobank’s Outstanding Filipino 2022 Teacher category awardee Dr. Christine Joy Aguila; University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman’s Assistant Professor Dr. Annalyn Capulong, and Ateneo Center for Development Managing Director Dr. Carmela C. Oracion.
The event also marked the first INNOTECH event under the leadership of former Education Secretary Dr. Leonor Magtolis Briones as the INNOTECH Center Director.
INNOTECH is a specialized regional center of SEAMEO, a regional intergovernmental organization dedicated to research, innovation, training, and knowledge management in educational innovation and technology.
It has been hosted by the Philippines since 1976 with its facilities at UP Diliman Campus, Quezon City.
The event was held in collaboration with the National Teachers' Month Coordinating Council (NTMCC) where INNOTECH has been an active member with its yearly forum.
Among the forum activities in the past included a webinar on digital competencies, a teacher quality, and a symposium on Teachers as Frontline heroes, revitalizing the image of the teaching profession.