Palma reminds REAP members of mission

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma reminded Catholic-run educational institutions that they are “missionaries” and that Christian values should be seen in schools.

Palma issued the reminder yesterday during the culmination of the three-day International Recoletos Education Congress of the learning institutions under the Recolect Education Apostolate in the Philippines held at the University of San Jose-Recoletos Center for Performing Arts.

“We are missionaries wherever we go” Palma said.

The prelate also challenged delegates to be “Eucharistic” and ensure that Christian values are seen in schools.

The Archbishop of Cebu was among the invited speakers in the first international congress of the Order of Agustinian Recolect. Aside from Palma, Fr. Gregorio Bañaga, vice president of the Adamson University, also spoke about the challenges that Philippine education is facing.

Bañaga is advocating for the implementation of the two more years in the education curriculum of the country.

According to him, the Philippines is the only country in Asia that is adopting the 10-year basic education curriculum.

He said other Asian countries like Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand are using the 12-year basic education program.

Bañaga said that most of our students enter the tertiary level of education prematurely resulting in high percentage of dropouts.

The congress was participated in by eight REAP member schools nationwide. There were delegates from Spain, Rome, Colombia and Africa.  (FREEMAN)