Written by Ros Claire Marzan and Esther Masielle Flores
On January 10, 2025, the University of Baguio High School (UBHS) community held a significant seminar and outreach program at their adopted school, Gumatdang Integrated School (GIS) in Itogon, Benguet. This initiative aimed to foster inclusivity and strengthen community engagement, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) No. 4 on Quality Education and SDG No. 17 on Partnerships for the Goals. The event brought together educators, students, and stakeholders in a collective effort to advance equitable and collaborative learning opportunities.
The highlight of the event was a seminar titled “Inclusive Education: An Overview,” led by Ms. Esther Masielle P. Flores, the subject head of Values Education and Philosophy at the UBHS and a dedicated advocate for inclusive education. The seminar was attended by 21 basic education teachers from GIS ensuring a well-rounded and engaging discussion.
During her presentation, Ms. Flores provided an in-depth discussion on the importance of inclusive education and its role in creating equitable learning environments. Her talk covered key topics, including the definition of inclusive education, the importance of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and other frameworks such as Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS). She also emphasized Philippine laws and policies, including RA 10533 and DepEd memoranda, that guide educators in promoting inclusivity. To further empower the participants, she shared best practices such as differentiated instruction, flexible assessment strategies, and the use of accessible learning materials.
Simultaneous with the seminar, a series of fun and interactive activities were conducted for GIS students, from Kindergarten to Grade 10. These activities included engaging games designed to foster teamwork and enthusiasm, as well as a heartwarming gift-giving session where each student received a token of joy from the UBHS community. This portion of the program was a collaborative effort involving the UB High School faculty, Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) officers, and Student Body officers, who worked together to bring smiles and create lasting memories for the students.
The entire event underscored UB High School’s dedication to fostering meaningful partnerships with its adopted school. It provided valuable insights and strategies for teachers to implement inclusive practices in their classrooms while also creating a day filled with joy and community spirit for the students. Through initiatives like this, UBHS reaffirms its commitment to promoting education, equity, and engagement, ensuring that inclusive education remains a central focus of its advocacy efforts.
