KIS fosters GAD in Basic Education through Seminar-Workshop

Last September 1-2, 2023, Kabayanan Integrated School held a Gender and Development (GAD) Seminar-Workshop with the theme: “WE Gender Equality and Inclusive Society” at Kabayanan Integrated School Faculty Hub. This seminar aimed to support the mandated provision of DepEd Order No. 32, s. 2017, which embarked on the Gender Responsive Basic Education Policy purposely eradicating gender discrimination in the workplace and also for the awareness of the learners through basic education.

All Kabayanan Integrated School teachers participated in the said workshop. The activity hoped to equip the teachers with the necessary skill sets to do the following objectives: envision a gender-fair curriculum towards a gender-fair society; ensure the promotion and protection of the dignity and self-worth of both sexes and Persons with Disabilities or PWDs by infusing related values on the gender-fair community; and lastly, strengthen the camaraderie and commitment of the teaching and non-teaching staff collectively to create a culture of harmony in school and immediate surroundings.

On the first day, Mr. Allan Eliezer M. Mal-in, Administrative Officer V, served as the Resource Speaker who talked about the awareness on how to accept and support the advocacy in gender awareness with his topic on Magna Carta for Women and RA 9710 (Anti-Violence Against Women and Children ACT of 2004).

During Day 2, Ms. Danica Mae D. Rivera, the Division GAD Focal Person, tackled the In-depth Gender Mainstreaming. It was followed by. Mr. Dennis M. Bacle, Principal IV of Kabayanan Integrated School, who talked about the Gender Issues.

During the afternoon session, Ms. Eden L. Balisbis and Veronica R. Mora, School GAD Focal Persons, discussed the salient points in the Gender-Responsive in Basic Education.

It could be said that Gender Equality is not only a fundamental human right but a necessary foundation for a peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable world. Gender equality is achieved when lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) have equal rights, conditions and opportunities, and the power to shape their own lives and contribute to the development of the society. It is a matter of equitable distribution of power, influence, and resources in society. The challenge is for the educators to situate these contexts in the teaching-learning scenario so the students can be engaged in meaningful conversations that would make them reflect on their mindsets and actions.

Mr. Bacle then, challenged the participants before the workshop ended and they responded with a commitment and acceptance led by Ms. Rhia S. Apurada, Teacher III. Part of her speech read, “As teachers and professionals, everyone of us should design quality education programs that are inclusive and gender-sensitive, promote the reduction of discrimination and inequality in our learners and colleagues. As teachers, let us foster innovative education approaches to better fit the gender equality and improve prospects for achieving quality education for all.” She added.

As the seminar ended, the words of Kofi Annan left them on reflective mode. “Gender equality is more than a goal in itself. It is a precondition for meeting the challenge of reducing poverty, promoting sustainable development and building good governance.”