|
THERE is more to being learned than the ABCs and the 123s. The basic knowledge, skills, values and attitudes are but the starting point towards a wholistic growth of a human being who is not only aware of the goings-on in his environment but is also an active participant in the transformation of society.
This is what transformative education is all about -- the inculcation of social awareness, social conscience and social commitment along with the basics in education. This is what Assumption College of Davao (ACD) aspires to impart to its students.
A transformative education envisions a humane, prosperous, progressive, nationalistic and democratic Philippines that can be achieved through imparting spiritual and moral values to the young.
It is no longer enough for education to be simply relevant. The higher calling is for education to be responsive to social issues and the problems of society, to address the roots of all these concerns to bring forth true development and prosperity for all.
Beyond visions and discourses on the type of education that will most benefit our children, as well as our society, however, is the development of a commitment for critical thinking and social awareness, decision-making and problem solving, a commitment for social action. This can only be embarked on by the development of a culture that will prevail among all those who are part of the ACD -- from teachers, to students, to non-academic personnel and even instruction resources and facilities.
From the school's mission and goals to its curriculum, from its formation programs and support services to its physical facilities, and from the student body and faculty to the management team. Every component becomes a key to the development of this school culture.
There's nothing new to all these. That Assumption College took on the path of transformative education is but the consolidation of the charism of the Missionaries of Assumption, which they have been imparting to their students.
Since the establishment of the Assumption School of Nabunturan in the early 1950s, the quest for meaningful education has gone on relentlessly.
By the late 1970s, when the country was roiling in political turmoil, what was then the Assumption School of Davao (ASD) was among the few Catholic schools that dared to explore religious meaning in the struggle for the poor. This progressive orientation became part of their religious charism and commitment, apart from tradition school apostolate.
From 1978-88, the Daughters of Mary of the Assumption in the Davao Region labored to define this new challenge by putting it into action; and along with it, the re-orientation of its curriculum and school program.
This decade-long struggle came to fruition in 1989 with the dissociation of 29 sisters of the Missionaries of Assumption (m.a.) from their mother congregation. A new religious community evolved.
The Sisters were then were granted the ownership and management of the ASD that saw the further integration of the developing culture for social reforms in the school; that saw young students stepping forward not only to demand for change but to show the way to a better future for Filipinos.
Along with higher political awareness among the students was also the knowledge of what was good for them. This was manifested best when the school totally barred junk food from its campus, a move that earned the full support of the studentry following a heightened health consciousness.
ACD has been through good and bad times that saw the growth and decline of its student population through the years along with the necessary phase-out of its college department in the late 1970s.
The college department has been reinstated, other programs have been established, such as the Sunday High School for the poor working youth of Davao, and better yet, a Sunday college department.
The history of ACD illustrates the process of human development and how sacrifices, dynamic interaction, and defined direction must be made in the short-term to be able to push forward one's vision of a just, humane, nationalistic, democratic, peaceful, faith-motivated, scientific and mass-oriented education.
|