Teachers in Mindanao and Metro Manila are getting ready for the Classroom Videoconference Program held by the Philippine Department of Education and PeaceTech. The Program may be the first time that a country is mainstreaming videoconferencing in the classroom on a daily basis.

Head of Social Studies at Cotabato City National High School, Jeanette Guadiano, helped co-facilitate the trainings bridging teachers in Cotabato City, Mindanao and Quezon City, Luzon: “We are making history. Imagine. Every hour, every day, Christian and Muslim students in cities far- apart will be learning their classes together through screens! Even though the other students and teachers are far away, the connection is getting so clear that it seems they are right in this classroom!”

Trainings focused on teaching-skills for videoconferencing and provided simulations. Principals Dr. Panfilo Cedeno of Cotabato City National High School and Dr. Luis P. Tagayun of Ramon Magsaysay High School were joined by Dr. Pancho Balaway, Chief of School Governance Operation Division for Cotabato City, in opening the sessions.

In Cotabato City, participants included: Sonia Aguinald, Education Program Supervisor; Alex Matugas, Senior Education Program Specialist; Jeanette Guadiano, Social Studies Supervisor; Jonathan Husain, Marilou Jones, Norhanudin Bryan, Lex De La Torre, Social Studies and Susan Villano, Julius Ledesma, and Mary Jane Loquis, Values Education.

In Quezon City, participants included: Mary Ann Ang, Social Studies Supervisor; Dr. Salve Imperial, Values Education Supervisor; Marlon Virgio, Engineer; Jenelyn Labang, Cynthia Labao, Values Education and Maria Teresa Vertido and Luzviminda De La Cruz, Social Studies.