City Taps Teachers in Character Building
VOL. XVIII NO. 4 (Nov 1-7, 2014)
BAGUIO CITY – the city government is tapping public school teachers in this mountain resort as vessels to enhance the city’s character program here.
The forum entitled “Intensifying the character programs in the public elementary and secondary schools in Baguio City” was successfully launched October 28 at the Eurotel Hotel which invited public school teachers.
The seminar was spearheaded by the Baguio Character Council chaired by Councilor Betty Lourdes Tabanda where she oriented participants on the character Council’s objectives and programs.
Part of the city government advocacy is sustaining the Character City thrust by showcasing positive moral qualities and traits which is best taught in the early part of school.
Speaking to teachers, Mayor Mauricio Domogan said,” a person’s character is shaped during childhood and molded as they grow up.”
He stressed the important role of a teacher in teaching, training and developing moral instructions for developing the child’s character early in life.
“I myself was raised by a poor community in the wilderness of the Cordilleras and I remember very well my teacher who taught me to act sensibly and responsibly,” Domogan said.
“I remember she was strict and sometimes use physical discipline in demanding obedience from us but we learned a lot from her, this time corporal punishment is already an offense,” he said.
The Character program is mandated by City Resolution No. 107 series of 2003, entitled “Pledging Commitment to character and designating the city of Baguio as a Character City and formally launching citywide initiative to encourage character building in schools, businesses, churches, city government, media, community groups and families, urging the leaders of each of these jurisdictions to support and contribute to this noble endeavor.”
Also discussed during the one-day seminar is the implementation of the character program in teaching edukasyon sa pagpapakatao and counselling in public schools, strategies and activities in integrating character program in teaching, utilizing guidance and counselling to reinforce the school-character program and character development among others.
Other character programs and activities towards enhancing and strengthening values formation and character building in the city is also being undertaken all year round./Paul Rillorta
