(L-R) Dr. de Guzman, Prof. Ahmad, Ms. Horton, Fr. Miranda
The College of Education, through its Teacher Education Department, hosted a colloquy on special education, as part of its foundation anniversary celebrations. In line with this year’s theme,
“Nurturing a Learning Community, Innovating for a More Inclusive Society”, the college invited two
competent international speakers. They were Ms. Stefanie Horton of Summit International School
and Prof. Aznan Bin Che Ahmad, Ph.D. of the Universiti Sains Malaysia. The colloquy was held on
April 20, 2016 at the Special Education Room, Albertus Magnus Building. Around 150 Elementary
Education faculty members and students from the pre-school and special education programs and
Teacher Certificate Program participated in this activity. Also present were Education Dean Dr. Allan
de Guzman, Regent Fr. Jesus Miranda, Jr., Internationalization Coordinator Mr. Alvin Ringgo Reyes,
Education Anniversary Celebrations Chairperson Assoc. Prof. Joel Adamos, Elementary Education
Program Coordinator Ms. Marichou Beltran, and Teacher Education Department Chairperson Asst.
Prof. Ana Ruby Paez.
The first speaker was Ms. Stefanie Erin Horton, MS Ed., who is currently the educational
consultant of Bank Street Summit School in Taguig City. Her presentation entitled, “The
Developmental-Interaction Approach: Fostering, Interacting and Observing the Whole Child”, focused on the educational goals of the Bank Street Approach. Horton established the historical context from which it was built. She defined the domains that make up the “whole child” and explored the roles of teachers in fostering, interacting and observing learners. In the said approach, the environment is believed to be just as important as the learner. Play is an important component of the child’s social, emotional and cognitive development. Horton provided ways to effectively communicate to parents how this progressive approach operates and assure them of its effectiveness.
The next speaker was Prof. Aznan Bin Che Ahmad, Ph.D. He is presently the program chairperson in special education of the School of Educational Studies in the Universiti Sains Malaysia. He holds a doctorate degree in special education from the University of Melbourne, Australia. Ahmad presented information about inclusive education in Malaysia. He revealed that in his country, the Ministry of Education provides children with three schooling options under the national special needs education system: Special Education Schools, Special Education Integrated Program, and Inclusive Education Program. He pointed out that in the implementation of inclusive education, there are problems and issues that need to be addressed such as attitudes, physical barriers, special education and mainstream teachers, educational policies and communication. He stressed that inclusive education should not require special institutions, special care or expensive materials, rather, it should provide opportunities for students to receive individualized services and approaches to learning.
There were two sets of reactors. The first group of reactors were Pre-school Education student Ms. Pauline Estrada, Education alumna Ms. Maria Socorro Serrano, and Education faculty member Ms. Isabella Dawn Correos. The panel members individually shared their insights, observations and experiences about the Bank Street Approach and how it compared with other pre school programs. The next panel of reactors were Pre-school student Mr. Christian Tigulo, Education alumna Ms. Katherine Agustin, and Education faculty member Mr. Anthony de Lara. The first two articulated their thoughts about the status of inclusive education in the Philippines. De Lara focused his comments on Malaysia’s government policies on special education
The session ended with a turnover of the Memorandum of Understanding by Education Dean Dr. Allan de Guzman and Regent Fr. Jesus Miranda, Jr., O.P. to Prof. Ahmad for signing by the president of the Universiti Sains Malaysia. Once formalized, a Memorandum of Agreement shall be formulated that will contain provisions for faculty and student exchanges, graduate study opportunities and research collaborations. In the closing remarks delivered by Dr. de Guzman, he revealed the plans of the College of Education to improve its linkages with international universities. Apart from the Universiti Sains Malaysia, the college shall be partnering with St. Mary’s University in Twickenham, London.
