Forty Child Development Workers (formerly called Day Care Workers) from all the 23 barangays of E.B. Magalona in Negros Occidental, attended yesterday a one-day workshop on reading literacy at the Municipal Building.
This was the second leg and expanded training for Negros Occidental Literacy Project, dubbed, “Weaving the Strands of Literacy Skills into Successful Readers,” a press statement from the E.B. Magalona Public Information Office said.
The project, launched in Metro Third District this year, is being spearheaded by 3rd District Rep. Jose Francisco “Kiko” Benitez, in partnership with the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2), US Embassy – Regional English Language Office (RELO), Synergeia Foundation, and the Department of Education.
The first batch was composed of Grade 1, 2, 3, and 7 teachers from the cities of Victorias, Silay, Talisay, and Bacolod, and the municipalities of E. B. Magalona and Murcia. In E. B. Magalona, a total of 56 teachers underwent the training-workshop on April 13 and 14.
In yesterday’s workshop, Mayor Marvin Malacon was represented by Executive Assistant Matthew Louis Malacon in the opening program and by Acting Municipal Budget Officer Debbie Ann Dioneo-Monte in the closing ceremony.
Representing Congressman Benitez was District Office coordinator for education Mike Clementir. Welcoming the participants and trainers was Municipal Social Welfare Officer Emy Lyn Hibionada.
“We would like to commend this collaborative partnership of Cong. Kiko Benitez, EDCOM 2, US Embassy, Synergeia, and DepEd for expanding this reading literacy project to include the child development workers of E. B. Magalona,” the Mayor said in a statement read by EA Malacon.
“Our child development workers certainly need upskilling of their teaching competencies in order to stay relevant and updated on the latest methodologies of learning. In doing so, they become effective and efficient in their work, and that will ultimately benefit our learners,” the mayor’s message added.
Conducting the training-workshop were American language specialists Dr. Clarissa Rosas, Julie Kahn, and Richard Kahn – all of the US Embassy RELO. They also taught the participants new skills in Day Care management, early oral language acquisition, and creating a conducive learning environment to enhance literacy outcomes.
Malacon stressed, “I believe that if we are to effectively address the learning gaps and improve learning outcomes in our pupils and students, we must start from their Day Care education.”
“The fruits of our collaborative partnerships will surely go a long way in raising the quality of education in this side of the country, and that will consequently raise our socio-economic condition in the near future,” Malacon added.*
