Four years since it completed a three- year reading proficiency program, Tanauan City received a fresh shot in the arm with the conduct of new training programs for school heads and district supervisors, and for parent-leaders.  The training was again made possible with support from Philip Morris Fortune Tobacco Corporation, Inc. (PMFTC).

The City’s DepEd Division Office, led by Schools Division Superintendent, Dr. Josilyn S. Solana, welcomed the fresh infusion of assistance, citing the urgent need for its school administrators to better appreciate the workings of instructional supervision, and for parents to commit to a partnership with schools.  These, according to Dr. Solana, are key to further improve the performance of school children of Tanauan.

More than 70 principals and supervisors participated in the training on Instructional Supervision last February 27-28, 2013. Syneregia’s Dr. Antonio Torralba and Mrs. Carmelo Oracion of the Ateneo Center for Education Development brought different perspectives to effective instructional leadership, while allowing participants to learn from each other through the sharing of best practices.  Dr. Solana, meanwhile, emphasized the need for principals to give top priority to the task of instructional supervision, as this directly impacts on increasing educational outcomes.

The successful run of the principals’ training was followed a week later by the training of Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) officers of both elementary and secondary schools.  The PTA training, held on March 7-8, 2013, was attended by more than a hundred PTA officials.  The two-day training was both an enjoyable and learning experience for the parents, who were treated to a good mix of activities that included talks on good parenting, and ways through which parents and schools can be better partners, as well as community singing and dancing exercises.  Parents also actively participated in a workshop, where they came up with their respective plans for their schools.

Local government support lent luster to the activities.  City Mayor Sonia Torres Aquino graced the PTA training,to the delight of the parents.  The LGU also generously offered free use of the newly-renovated Governor Modesto Castillo Center as venue for the Principals’ Training.

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Two days in March (March 5-6) were dedicated to the 24 school administrators and head teachers of elementary and secondary schools in Mamburao. They temporarily set aside the everyday demands and pressures of work to listen, interact and learn during the Administrators’ Training.

The speaker, Dr. Antonio Torralba, was already a friend to most of the participants as this was the fourth activity he has facilitated in the municipality. Once again the PPSTA Building, where the mentors gathered, echoed with laughter during Dr. Torralba’s talk. The participants related well with his examples of real life challenges. They realized that these challenges were in fact opportunities that can make them into better persons. They were pleased to learn practical ways on dealing with stress and managing their time. They also had workshops with Dr. Torralba on their leadership styles and personal relationships with teachers.

As a strong believer of education as a key factor in providing a good future to the children, Mayor Anthony Villarosa encouraged the participants to be inspiring and treat their students with love and patience.

In closing, sophomore students from Mamburao National High School moved the hearts of the participants with an essay and a poem. The students expressed their love and appreciation of their teachers and school heads with a prayer that they would not give up on them despite the occasional lapses in their behaviour.

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More than 400 parents from Mambusao, Capiz came in response to the call for good parents. Vice-mayor Elmer Arevalo graced the two-day activity (February 26-27, 2013) in behalf of Mayor Alba who was on official travel. The SB Education Committee Chairman, Maria Lacson Apostol also came to lend her support. The parents shared their best experiences in developing good values among children and in developing discipline and good working habits.

They listened to the views of their children on their expectations from their parents. There were emotional moments as parents realized that they may have influenced their children to behave in less desirable ways. The Mambusao Project Management Team (PMT) headed by Jerry Leonida did a great job in facilitating the workshops. The participants realized that they learn best through peer-to-peer mentoring. They were so happy to share their insights and experiences.

The parents concluded the workshop with a pledge from every participant to be the best parent ever. All the participants affixed their signatures and their hand marks on a big canvass.

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