Peace education takes off
The inclusion of peace education in basic Education and Teacher Education is now institutionalized with the signing of the implementing rules and regulations participated in by Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Hermogenes Esperon, Jr., Education Secretary Jeslie Lapus and Press Secretary Jesus Dureza.
The Technical Working Group (TWG) said the signing makes Executive Order 570 fully effective in institutionalizing a more coordinated effort within and among key implementing agencies and partners making peace education a priority program.
Peace advocates said the signing of the guidelines was a milestone, as most of the contents were drawn from two key activities done last year, which included the Mindanao-wide Consultation on Peace Education organized by the Mindanao Peace Education Forum, and the National Consultation Workshop on EO 570 organized by OPAPP.
The inputs gathered from the consultations were then put together by the interagency TWG composed of the OPAPP, DepEd, CHED, and NEDA, which are members of the Executive Committee, along with the national commission for culture and the Arts, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, National Commission on Indigenous People, National youth Commission, Miriam College Peace Education Center representing the Peace Education Network, and the Mindanao Peace Education Forum.
The implementing guidelines of EO 570 state that the institutionalization of peace education in basic education and teacher education shall be in harmony with the educational priorities and strategies as laid down by national and international commitments related to a culture of peace and development.
The guidelines further state that peace education will be pursued through a holistic approach involving pre-service and in-service trainings, school-based and alternative learning systems and technical education.
The approach encompasses all aspects of the educational system including learning content, teaching-learning methods, co-curricular program, materials development, staff development and others. (PIA 6)