SEMINAR WORKSHOP ON TEACHING SOCIAL SCIENCE AT THE SECONDARY LEVEL
Project Director: Exaltacion E. Lamberte
Funding Agency: Educational Development Projects Implementing Task Force (EDPITAF) of the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS) through the Secondary Education Development Project (SEDP)
The seminar workshop on Social Science Teaching was part of the staff development program of the Secondary Education Development Program, addressing the need for providing non-degree educational training to supervisors, specialists and teachers in the Social Studies subject areas. The seminar generally attempted to: (1) upgrade the professional competencies of the supervisors, social studies specialists and teachers to effectively implement the new secondary curriculum, and (2) develop their leadership potentials.
The training specifically aimed at assisting the participants to: (1) acquire increased knowledge in subject matter content, as well as in current trends and developments in social science teaching; (2) develop the ability to adopt and/or adapt curriculum materials to local needs and conditions; (3) strengthen skills in curriculum planning, implementation and evaluation; (4) improve supervisory, administrative and leadership capabilities; (5) develop and acquire skills in constructing evaluation strategies and instruments for assessing faculty and students’ performance; and 6) plan and organize similar training and seminars for their fellow teachers.
Overall results indicated improvement in the level of knowledge of participants on the subject areas after each talk and discussion conducted by resource speakers. They were able to gain ideas and insights not only in the area of social science but also on concepts and principles dealing with classroom management and teaching effectiveness, leadership and supervision and in self-discovery and growth. The latter areas could be inferred from the participants’ answers to the evaluation forms administered once every two weeks.
IQC: GENDER ISSUES IN PAIP SIGN AGRIBUSINESS SECTOR ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Project Director: Irma Coronel
Funding Agency: United States Agency for International Development
This study aimed to conduct a gender analysis of the agribusiness sector. Specifically, it sought to: (1) provide a quantitative sex-disaggregated description of the workforce, ownership and management characteristics of the agribusiness sector; (2) provide a qualitative assessment of policies, laws, regulations, as well as relevant socio-cultural conditions that promote/constrain female participation in agribusiness activities; and (3) identify measures that may be undertaken to effectively address the constraints faced by women involved in agribusiness.
The study focused its inquiry on the participation of men and women in two agribusiness sectors: agriculture and agroindustries. For agriculture, the investigation centered on crops, livestock, and poultry. Fishery and forestry were covered but on a limited basis. For agroindustries, the areas are contract farming and the processing of farm produce.
Salient findings of the study focused on the workforce, ownership of farms/business, involvement in management, and constraints. It was recommended that in order to facilitate women’s integration, the following areas should be looked into: sensitization/consciousness raising of the role of women in agricultural productivity, development of training programs for women, extension of credit facilities, extension of assistance in development and management of cooperatives and conducting of research on women’s concerns in the sector.
WORKING IN JAPAN: THE EXPERIENCE OF FILIPINO OVERSEAS CONTRACT WORKERS
Project Director: Stella Go
Funding Agency: Japanese Immigration Association
Using the sample survey and case study methods, this study provides a profile of 202 Filipino contract workers who worked in Japan; their labor migration experience from the pre-employment, employment and post-employment stages; and the economic and psycho-social consequences of working in Japan for the worker and his/her family.
Findings of the study included the following: (1) Unlike labor migration streams from other Asian countries (except Thailand), the labor migration streams from the Philippines to Japan are highly selective of young single females with fairly high levels of education; (2) Although the major reason for working in Japan was for financial rewards, the underlying motivation was focused on the welfare of the family; (3) Assessed in terms of house ownership, savings and remittances, working in Japan has been a profitable endeavor; (4) Psycho-social changes in both the worker and her family were generally positive in nature, the experience having enhanced the worker in terms of personal maturity, stronger marital bonds, greater involvement in family decision-making, and increased level of satisfaction in various aspects of life; and (5) There are important individual and social factors that together reinforce working in Japan (e.g. the Filipino’s strong sense of duty to family, the desire to earn a higher income, the encouragement of friends, the demands of the Japanese labor market, and the current state of the Philippine economy).
To better address the welfare needs of the worker and his/her family, the study recommended that the Philippine government make a commitment to “education for adaptation” via policy formulations that will institutionalize it within the overseas employment program. Consequently, a comprehensive, well-planned, and well-implemented education program needs to be developed hand-in-hand with other programs, projects, and institutional structures designed to protect the interests and well-being of the worker and his/her family.
Key words: Overseas Contract Workers, labor migration experience in Japan, psycho-social consequences, financial rewards |
