In order to develop competencies required of a school head, 155 teachers-in-charge from all over Sarangani participated in the three-day School Heads Development Program earlier this week at the National Educators Academy of the Philippines-Region XII, Quirino Avenue, General Santos City.
The training focused on the different domains under the Philippine Professional Standards for School Heads, which are: Leading Strategically, Managing School Operations and Resources, Focusing on Teaching and Learning, Developing Self and Others, and Building Connections.
Schools Division Superintendent Gildo G. Mosqueda, CEO VI, reminded the participants of their duties in the school.
“The biggest chunk of the work of a school head is instructional supervision. The impact of all our decisions and activities should be seen in the academic progress of our learners,” he said.
‘“In terms of financial management, you have to be very careful. The MOOE of the school comes from government funds and must be spent judiciously,” he added.
Senior Education Program Specialist for Human Resource Development Service Marites D. Lara said that the training is the first of its kind in Region XII to be accredited by both the NEAP and the Professional Regulation Commission, granting the participants who complete said training 15 CPD points.
The resource speakers are NEAP-recognized facilitators namely: Judith B. Alba, Education Program Supervisor, Renetcie B. Martinez, PhD., Senior Education Program Specialist for Planning and Research; Josie Teofila N. Quijano, PhD., Vocational School Administrator II of Glan School of Arts and Trades; Cherwin B. Macaranas, Principal II, Malandag National High School; and Anita L. Gonzales, PhD., Assistant Principal II, Alabel National High School.
The participants were organized into four classes facilitated by identified principals and school heads.
Newly-designated teacher-in-charge of Felicitas Lawa Panes Elem School Analee A. Catalan thought that the training was “superb” and hoped that “this training will be one of the reasons for our clientele – the learners – to have smiles on their faces.
“And that will be our great reward from the Almighty Father for serving not only our schools but the surrounding communities as well,” she added.
Most of the TICs are assigned in far-flung and hard-to-reach communities and the training has been an avenue for them to exchange experiences with one another.
SDS Mosqueda also encouraged the participants to take the National Qualifying Examination for School Heads because there are Principal items that have yet to be filled because only few have been qualified for said positions.
He explained that if those positions would be filled by current TICs, it can help address the problem of teacher shortage.
Upon their return to their respective schools, the TICs are expected to come up with a re-entry plan and an application project, which shall be an opportunity for them to practice what they have learned from the training in real-life situations.