Top Filipino educators Dr. Teresita Domalanta, Dr. Fe Faz, and Dr. Dominico Idanan addressed a joint MITIS-DEPED forum entitled “Exploring the Opportunities for University Education in Japan” held on January 12, 2011 at MIT International School. Among the other speakers were Dr. Kakuya Matsushima from Kyoto University and Ms. Atsuko Sakamaki, the Country Officer of the Japan International Cooperation Center.
Dr. Domalanta in her remarks
highlighted the importance of adopting the K+12 curriculum in light of the
growing clamor for the Philippines to
move out from its present 10 years of basic education. In addressing other
educators, Dr. Domalanta averred that the present challenge facing
educators is to open avenues for global
competitiveness.
Dr. Domalanta encouraged
Filipino students to feel positive about themselves and about finding a place
in the world. She cited what the
Japanese people call “kugaku-rikko” which means “working one’s way through
school under adversity”. She exhorted
Filipino students who will decide to study in Japan to be armed with moral
courage, perseverance, optimism, and commitment.
Dr. Domalanta was a
former NCR Director of the Department of Education.
Dr. Kakuya Matsushima gave
the students a foretaste of the excellent and challenging education at Kyoto University. He currently serves as Associate Professor in
the Graduate School of Urban Management of Kyoto University. Dr. Matsushima gladly answered the questions
of students during the Open Forum.
Ms. Atsuko Sakamaki spoke on the topic of JICE’s
Operation for Supporting Youth Generation in the Philippines.
Dr. Fe Faz singled
out the K+12 curriculum as an anchor of the education agenda of President
Benigno C. Aquino III. She cited the
many benefits for students that will come out from its implementation.
The process of earning scholarship grants was discussed by Ms. Atsuko Sakamaki, the Country Officer of Japan International Cooperation Center (JICE). Both Dr. Matsushima and Ms. Sakamaki pointed out that the basic requirement for admission in Japanese universities is completion of Grades 11 and 12
Dr.
Faz pointed out that while the K+12 curriculum is targeted for full
implementation by the Department of Education in School Year 2015-2016, MITIS
has already put it in operation in School Year 2010-2011. She added that it was remarkable for MITIS to
extend the benefits of its Grades 11 and 12 education to the graduates of the
public high schools by way of scholarships and/or financial aid.
Dr. Faz underscored the strides taken by MITIS to address
the demands of world-class education. As
the then Superintendent of City Schools of Muntinlupa City, Dr. Faz endorsed
the establishment of the MIT International School in a Forum on Effective
Schooling held at the Vivere Hotel on May 26, 2007.
Dr. Dominico Idanan affirmed
the view that the two additional years in basic education will hone the
academic competencies of students. Dr. Idanan echoed the elation of Dr. Faz for
the opportunities offered to gifted Filipino students by MITIS, Kyoto
University and other universities in Japan, and the Japan International
Cooperation Center. Dr. Idanan was visibly pleased that more than 60 students
of the Muntinlupa City Science High School attended the forum. He mentioned
that the school has been offering the course on the Japanese language Nihonggo
since three years ago.
Dr. Idanan is
presently the Officer-in-Charge of the
Office of the Division of City Schools of Muntinlupa City. He welcomed the opportunity for the forum to
be jointly sponsored by MIT International School and DEPED-Muntinlupa City.
