LESSON 4 – LINKAGES AND NETWORKING WITH ORGANIZATIONS

Lesson Objectives:

At the end of the lesson, students are expected to:

1. Enumerate organizations that teacher can link with or join

Introduction

The school and its community, in collaboration with public and private institutions and
organizations are indeed inseparable if they are to create an impact on the lives of the
students, and members of the communities they are committed to serve. Various groups from
both are very willing to join forces in pursuing mutually beneficial and productive programs
and projects for the good interest of all. All that is needed are well-defined plans and creative
efforts aimed at establishing close affiliations between and among them. Such
interrelationships will be characterized by reciprocity and attainment of educational
objectives. Harnessing the tremendous influence and expertise of both groups will be able to
extend is definitely a laudable step towards promoting the desired proficiency of the teaching
force in the school as well as the efficiency in the services of some associated organizations.

The school can enjoy linkages and networking activities with international, national and local
organizations in the community for mutual benefit and assistance needed.

The first step is for the school to prepare a list of projects and activities it plans to undertake
including the much-needed assistance in terms of human and material resources, then
determine the institutions and organizations with parallel objectives and service. A joint
scheme could be worked out with higher education institutions offering degrees along the
same line such as teacher education.

DepEd schools and laboratories for field study courses and practice teaching, hence the
exposure of future teachers to the reality of teaching.

A network system could be designed incorporating the strength and availability of services
and expertise from both or among the group. The schools could also benefit immensely from
agencies whose mission includes corporate social responsibility. With the help of such
organizations, the school could fully realize its objective of delivering quality educational
services for the country’s youth. As the networking plan progresses, the enormous
contributions of all the willing partners deserve the community’s commendation and
patronage.

Linkages, also termed interconnections, with institutions functioning along the same mission
are intended to serve members of both sides according to their respective needs, interest and
objectives. They create bonds together to solicit support and assistance for purposeful
activities which could be facilitated faster and better considering the doubling of energy and
resources.
Following are some working linkages between schools nationwide and associations/centers
with local offices manned by a complete set of officials and active members.

Linkages

1. International Linkages

a. Phi Lambda Theta

Pi Lambda Theta is an international honor society and professional association of
women educators. Based in its main office in Michigan, chapters are located in
different universities nationwide. The only chapter outside the United States is the
Philippine are chapter. Established in the country more than three decades ago, its
main project is the ETP (Excellence in Teaching Program) started in 1997 in
coordination with Metrobank Foundation. It supports 15 third year BSE/BEE
students until they graduate. It also honors outstanding student teachers from
Colleges of Education. The president and some members of the association attend
a biennium hosted by chapters abroad during their term. The 3-day convention
tackles current issues, advances and trends in teacher education which are
discussed among the local members upon their return. The local chapter hosted
twice (1997, 1999) a study tour and an initiation-rites held with members from
abroad in attendance.

b. INNOTECH is the center for training educational leaders from the Southeast
Asian Region under the SEAMEO organization. It conducts training programs to
upgrade competencies of teacher from the region in all disciplines. One of its
projects is to upgrade teachers’ knowledge and skills in implementing alternative
learning systems. It has prepared a comprehensive framework on peace and multi-
cultural diversity.

c. Word Council for Curriculum and Instruction (WCCI) has a local chapter with
recently hosted a 3-day international congress with the international president,
officials and members from different countries in attendance. The council holds
conferences in different countries annually which is participate by members of the
local chapter.

d. Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) is a

membership organization that develops programs, products and services essential
to the way educators learn, teach and lead. Founded in 1943, ASCD is an
educational leadership organization dedicated to advancing best practices and
policies for the success of each learner. It has 150,000 members in more than 145
countries who are professional educators from all levels and subject areas –
superintendents, supervisors, principals, teachers, professors of education, and
school board members. It is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that
provides expert and innovative solutions in professional development, capacity
building, and educational leadership essential to the way educators learn, teach
and lead.
 2. National and Local

a. Linkages could be established between universities and colleges offering identical

degrees. Cross-enrolment for subjects needed for graduation is allowed.
b. Joint researches could be conducted by two or three universities depending on
their respective expertise. The dissemination of findings to other universities in
the area is a big help.

Networking

1. Networking with Professional Organizations

A network is a grid/web whose members actively demonstrate how they can work
together to attain common objectives, undertake innovative practices and update
members regarding breakthrough in different disciplines. Such network composed of
several institutions are also termed as consortium wherein several colleges of different
universities bind themselves for a common goal.

a. Consortium among Universities and Colleges

i. Taft Consortium – The universities that make up the consortium are St.
Paul University (Manila), St. Scholastica’s College, Philippine Normal
University, Philippine Christian University and De La Salle University.
The science teachers from each college meet regularly or discussions on
“best practices”. At one time they wrote a book which was used by their
respective students. The registrars may undergo training sessions together.
The interest clubs convene members or a presentation where the
participants are rom the five institutions. Each university serves as a host
during important celebrations wherein the faculty and students enjoy
academic as well as re-creational activities.

ii. The Mendiola Consortium – It is composed of San Beda College, Centro

Escolar University, San Sebastian College and Holy Spirit College.

b. Consortium with Subject Specialists

i. BIOTA is an organization of biology teachers from universities

worldwide. An annual convention is a major event where all members
gather to discuss the “latest” in their own areas. The speakers are
recognized international and local experts. Research findings, biotech
practices and interesting projects/activities are shared among members.

ii. MATHED is the Council of Mathematics Teachers and Educators. Its

major project is to upgrade the competence of mathematics teachers
through national conferences, workshops and training sessions conducted
nationwide. MTAP takes charge of basic math teachers while MSP and
 MT Guild conduct projects for college teachers. The council likewise
holds international conferences in mathematics education.

iii. The Physics Teachers Association, composed of specialists in physics

education, implements development programs, sponsors contests, and
participates actively in international conferences as paper presenters.

iv. The Chemistry Teachers Association is an active group that attends to the
upgrading of chemistry teachers through national conventions and
assemblies.

c. Teacher Education Institutions

i. The Philippine Association for Teacher Education (PAFTE) is an

association composed of deans, professors, and instructors from colleges
of education from both private and government universities and school
heads, supervisors and cooperating teachers of government and private
schools. In addition to the annual midyear and national conventions and
assemblies for mutual collaboration and sharing of expertise, a worthwhile
activity is an educational tour to Asian, American and European
universities. Such a visit offers and great opportunity for members (as well
as non-members) to observe some modern learning facilities, listen to
progressive educators, and more important, to promote a friendly alliance
with them. An opportunity to tour the historic and educational sites of
other countries affords the teacher educators a good way of enriching their
intellectual, cultural and social pursuits.

ii. State Universities and Colleges Teacher Educators’ Association

(SUCTEA) includes all state colleges of education as members. An annual
convention is usually held in the different regions bringing deans and
teacher education professors together for an exchange of approaches and
modes of delivering quality teacher education for the youth. Faculty
exchange program was tried wherein an expert in assessment and
evaluation of learning was requested by a university. Specialist in
foundation courses can likewise be “borrowed” in exchange for a major
subject they specialized in. An international congress on teacher education
is another project worth undertaking to “widen academic reach” of the
nation’s teachers.

d. National Organization

FAAP (Federation of Accrediting Associations of the Philippines) is a group of

agencies whose main function is to conduct accreditation of educational
qualification and facilities starting from the administration, curriculum, faculty
profile and the learning environment, among others. The Philippine Association of
Colleges and Universities Commission on Accreditation (PACUCOA), Philippine
Accrediting Agency for Schools, Colleges and Universities (PAASCU) and the
 Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities in the Philippines
belong to this organization (AACCUP).

2. Networking with Foundations

a. The Educational Research and Development Assistance (ERDA) Foundation, Inc.

has for its flagship program, education, mostly of the out-of-school-youth. It
supports programs and services in health, livelihood and continuing education.
The foundation has organized 128 children associations nationwide and the
federation is known as National Federation of Children’s Associations of the
Philippines. It is a dynamic human development organization committed to create
and sustain services for economically and socially disadvantaged children, youth,
women, families and communities.

b. Metrobank Foundation, Inc. has for its flagship project in education the SEARCH
FOR OUSTANDING TEACHERS. It annually recognizes and honors outstanding
teachers of the three educational levels from schools nationwide. The foundation,
as part of its corporate social responsibility, bestows honor upon the teaching
profession by “honoring teachers who devote their lives to the development of the
youth with exemplary competence and dedication.” To date, it has 356 teacher
awardees from 1985 to 2006. The foundation likewise implements various
programs in visual arts and healthcare, math challenge and other college
scholarship program. The foundation also supports third (15) and fourth (15)
teacher education students enrolled in schools that are identified as Centers of
Excellence in Teacher Education in coordination with Pi Lambda Theta.

c. Network of Outstanding Teachers and Educators (NOTED) is composed of all the

winners of the annual search. As an honor society it is committed to nurturing a
culture of excellence and service among educators through professional
development, publications, research and advocacy in active partnership with
government and non-government organizations.

d. Ayala Foundation, Inc. (AFI) is a nonprofit organization that serves as the socio-
cultural development arm of the Ayala Group of Companies which works to
“fulfill the needs of the whole person” through a holistic response. It likewise
works to extend the benefits of recent technological developments to a greater
number of men, women, and children. It is committed to work for the “cultivation
of Filipino ingenuity and talent, as well as the preservation of our rich culture,
history and traditions.”

e. GMA Foundation has for its mission “to give hope and a future to the Filipino
family by safeguarding human rights and upgrading standards of education”,
among others. Its programs that promote literacy and education are Donate a Book
and Merit Scholarships.

f. SM Foundation, Inc. launches a yearly project which collects books and

educational materials from the public and donates them to public schools and
 community libraries. Education literacy drive aims to collect more book donations
from business donors and distributes them to public schools and community
libraries nationwide.

g. Foundation for Upgrading Standards in Education (FUSE) supports training

programs for teachers of English, Science and Mathematics. Its Continuing
Education via Television (CONSTEL) project which consists of 40 episodes in
Physics to assist non-physics majors, is offered through government television
channels. It has produced several thousand tapes which are distributed to
secondary schools and teacher training institutions nationwide. Other branches are
in chemistry, elementary science and English. It grants full scholarships for
teachers to pursue doctorate degree in the sciences and math. It conducts a
monthly assembly of teachers and university officials for a lecture series, research
dissemination and a discussion of current educational issues and teaching
concerns.

h. Philippine Foundation for Science and Technology (PFST) has the Philippine
Science Centrum as its flagship project. It consists of science exhibits which are
visited by school children. It reaches out to towns, cities and provincial capitals
through travelling exhibitions and outreach programs. To date they have more and
upgraded interactive exhibits and better facilities in halls and galleries. About 300
thousand visitors have been accommodated by the Centrum.

i. Books for the Barrio and Asia Foundation donate books and other printed
materials to public and private elementary and secondary schools.

j. Bato Balani Foundation honors teachers through a “Tribute to Teachers” program.

k. Philippine Business for Education (PBEd) is the business community’s response

to the need for consensus and sustained advocacy in education reform. The
purposes of PBEd are: 1) to nurture consensus on key direction in education
reform and to initiate and lead the actions towards those directions; 2) to identify
best opportunities for pursuing strategic actions that can most effectively direct,
accelerate, broaden or sustain education; 3) to inform consideration of such
strategic actions with the best available knowledge and information; and 4) to
mobilize commitment in support of consensus on the specific nature of desired
actions.

3. Networking with Government Offices

a. Literacy Coordinating Council (LCC) under the DepEd trains trainors who handle
literacy training courses among the youth.
b. The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) supports undergraduate and
graduate scholarship programs in science and math in the Regional Science
Teaching Centers which were selected Centers of Excellence by the Technical
Paned for Teacher Education.
c. The Commission on Higher Education organizes technical panels for all
professions, selects institutions as Centers of Excellence in their chosen fields and
regularly benchmarks the curricula for all degrees with international standards.
 d. The Teacher Education Council of the DepEd focuses its programs on teacher
education policies and standards. This is the link between DepEd and CHED.

4. Networking with Media

a. Broadcast stations such as the ABS-CBN and GMA Foundation provide

assistance to school children and teachers through its educational broadcasts,
donations of instructional materials and school buildings and conducting
interviews of achievers in various professions.
b. Government and private channels, likewise include award-winning entries to
national competitions in the fields of education, sports and healthcare.

c. Historic and cultural events and celebrations brought to all homes promote the
spirit of nationalism and pride. Technical know-how and methodical procedures
serve as welcomed guides in daily activities.

d. Publications and prints such as the daily newspapers, magazines and other reading
materials are rich sources of information for educational purposes. Important
events, international, national and local are recorded and filed for future
references. Outstanding speeches, papers read in conferences and literary pieces
are prints that provide valuable insights and enlightenment.

e. Projected materials such as education films and projected documentaries widen

children’s knowledge and outlook for growth and development. Videotapes on the
overview of the K to 12 Curriculum are likewise available.