238 WV pre-school teachers to attend graduate school
Some 238 pre-school teachers from Region VI will be spending their semestral break, October 22-26, in attending classes for a diploma course leading to a master's degree in Early Childhood Education.
The teachers will get training at Carlos Hilado Memorial State College in Talisay City, Negros Occidental for this year.
Education Secretary Jesli Lapus said the graduate program consists of two terms, where the first half will be this semestral break, while the second term is slated in the summer of 2009.
Lapus said this is a scholarship program intended for regular and newly deployed preschool teachers in Social Reform Agenda provinces and preschool supervisors installed for the last three years, and for those 50 years old and below.
The program is designed to provide preschool teachers in public schools quality preparations to meet the standards required by the DepEd for preschool teachers.
DepEd requires preschool teachers to have degrees in Preschool Education, Teaching Early Grades or Early Childhood Education.
"DepEd recognizes the importance of preschool education in determining the readiness of children upon entry in grade 1 while quality preschool education sufficiently prepares children for higher education," Lapus said.
Lapus said they expect to enhance teachers' competencies particularly on the use of developmentally appropriate methods and strategies in developing the child's full potential in physical, social, emotional and cognitive areas.
Grantees are entitled to their salaries, free tuition fees, a stipend of P3,000, lodging allowance of P2,000, book allowance of P2,000 per term, and actual travelling expenses from the DepEd.
The DepEd Preschool program is made available to five year-old kids for free, since teachers receive a regular salary from the National government. (PIA 6)