Gibo wants research-based learning

MANILA, Philippines — Former defense secretary and senatorial candidate Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro wants research-based learning rather than lecture-type curriculum for tertiary education to enhance the capability of students to do research and development.

Teodoro, a lawyer and 1989 Bar topnotcher, said the college curriculum should focus more on discussing and submitting concepts and research papers, with the exception of science and mathematics. Through this type of learning, the search for knowledge will be embedded among students, he said.

“Your process and method of learning will improve if you have a research-based teaching concept rather than lecture-based. You will develop the habit of researching and upgrading your skills because learning is a life-long endeavor,” he said.

The former Tarlac congressman added that research-based learning helps students develop their intellectual skills and critical analysis which are crucial abilities when they join the workforce.

Education reform is one of Teodoro’s platforms. The senatorial aspirant aims for quality education that is accessible to all, enriching the curriculum in all education levels and providing more learning opportunities to Filipinos.

Tech-voc

Meanwhile, Sen. Joel Villanueva is pushing for the institutionalization of technical-vocational upskilling, which is essential in the National Employment Recovery Strategy (NERS).

During his term as Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) director-general, Villanueva issued the directive to have national certificates (NCs) renewed every five years to ensure up-to-date training and upskilling.

Villanueva visited the TESDA offices yesterday to mark Valentine’s Day with the renewal of his barista NC.

As chair of the Senate committee on labor, employment and human resource development, Villanueva said his NC II renewal is a way for him to “walk the talk” and emphasize how important tech-voc education is for the country.

Villanueva said that TESDA NCs embody his reelection platform of job opportunity and security.

“National Certifications create job opportunities and secure livelihoods. The promise of tech-voc education is the certainty of employability, and it’s a promise that we in government should deliver,” he said.

The senator said his certificate renewal is part of the continuing effort to erase the social stigma against tech-voc courses.

Support growing

In another development, support for Sorsogon Gov. Chiz Escudero’s bid to return to Senate is growing as he landed second in the latest nationwide senatorial survey conducted by the Philippines-Mission and Development Foundation (RPMD).

Escudero jumped to second from fifth place in the latest nationwide survey by the RPMD last month, gaining 6.6 percentage points or 58.2 percent.

Escudero ranked fifth in a similar survey by RPMD in November. In the foundation’s latest survey, almost 60 percent of 10,000 respondents chose him among pre-listed senatorial aspirants during a face-to-face interview from Jan. 22 to 30.

The Halalan 2022 Survey is non-commissioned research conducted by RPMD that polled registered voters. It has a margin of error of plus/minus one percent, according to Dr. Paul Martinez of the research institution.