The year-long celebration to mark Colegio San Agustin – Bacolod’s 60th founding anniversary ended with the Educators’ Congress last July 6 – 7, 2023 at the Auditorium.
The two-day activity which put emphasis on the theme: “Educators in Synodality: Serving with Optimisms for the Life and Mission of the Catholic Schools,” was attended by more than 100 participants mostly from the host school and from other invited schools.
Day 1 opened with the welcome address of the Educators’ Congress Chairperson, Gereon A. Cabarles, Ph.D. and the keynote address of the School President, Rev. Fr. Arnel S. Dizon, O.S.A. This was followed by a roundtable discussion on the topic: Leadership and Synodality in the Life and Mission of the Catholic Schools with Rev. Fr. Frederick C. Comendador, O.S.A., University President of the University of San Agustin, Dr. Raffy C. Alan, Dean of the College of Education of Kabankalan Catholic College and Ms. Claude Feliza Ganaban, Principal of St. Scholastica’s Academy.
Rev. Fr. Czar Emmanuel Alvarez, O.S.A., Vice President for Academic Affairs of Colegio San Agustin – Biñan, expounded on the Augustinian Pedagogy: Its relevance to 21st Century Learning in the afternoon of Day 1. The participants were given a chance to share their thoughts on the speaker’s talk during the breakout session afterwards.
Day 2 started with a recap of the previous day’s topic by Dr. Randdie Cuelo. The morning session was a sharing of Accreditation journey of three different schools. Miss Marjorie H. Eslawa, the Quality Assurance Director of the School spoke on the PAASCU experience of Colegio San Agustin – Bacolod, while Zezil Gay E. Gelle, the International Quality Assurance Director of the University of San Agustin talked of her School’s ISO accreditation while Dr. Edgar R. Detoya, CPA, the University of San Jose – Recoletos Dean of the College of Commerce/Graduate School of Business on CHED ISA.
In the afternoon, Dr. Ma. Mercedes Monsale of CHED Region 6 informed the audience on the latest CHED updates while Mr. Joseph V. Gutierrez, M.S., the Supervising Education Program Specialist, Bureau of Curriculum Development from DepEd Central Office Manila enlightened the participants of the changes in the K to 10 curriculum of the basic education which would take effect by next school year 2024 – 2025.
The open forum after their talk gave the chance for the participants to ask for clarification on accreditation and updates in the CHED and the DepEd.
Rev. Fr. Raymundo Edsel T. Alcayaga, O.S.A., expressed his words of gratitude to the different speakers during the congress as well as to the participants.
Indeed, the Educators’ Congress was a fitting activity to conclude the 60th founding anniversary of Colegio San Agustin – Bacolod as it continues to soar to greater heights
By: Marjorie Eslawa
