Educators gather to discuss poll roles

CEBU, Philippines - The IBON Foundation Incorporated has gathered educators from all over the country for a conference to discuss their roles in the May 10 elections.

The gathering was held yesterday at the United Church of Christ in the Philippines Center for Development Education and Training (UCCP-CENDET) in Cebu City wherein organizers discussed the teachers’ roles for the education of voters.

The activity which has a theme, “Promoting the People’s Agenda to the New Government in 2010 and beyond” was attended by the teachers and school administrators from secondary levels in private and public schools in the country. 

According to Jazminda Buncan, executive director of IBON Foundation Inc., the purpose of holding the event is to promote a common understanding of the nations’ situation especially in the lead-up towards the 2010 elections.

She added that this is also to promote the people’s criteria in choosing the next leader in 2010 and beyond and to build up the capacity of teachers in promoting the concept of good governance among students as part of molding critical minded youth and students.

The city schools division superintendent Dr. Rhea Mar A. Angtud said that educators are the role models to the students and to the community. “Shaping the students’ personality is also shaping our nation. We should teach the students the right way thus it is our obligation in teaching them to choose the right leader,” Angtud said.

“The house that you’ll be building today is the very house that you’ll be residing tomorrow,” she added.

Sonny Africa, IBON Foundation Research Head and Bayan Muna consultant, said that the election is very important that teachers should cooperate to attain a credible and clean election.

“Maraming problema ang hinaharap ng bansa at eleksyon lang ang pag-asa. Magtulungan tayo to achieve an elite governance,” Africa said.   (FREEMAN NEWS)