As MMSU College of Teacher Education (CTE) turns 101 this year, it seeks to hurdle new challenges and to maintain its reputable performance for continuous excellence.

This was emphasized in the college’s 101st Anniversary Celebration last September 7 with the theme, “A continuing tradition of excellence.” 

During the celebration, CTE launched “CTEX I-SHARE Project (Share your Heart and Resources),” a program where faculty members who attended trainings will share their learning experiences to students and other stakeholders through the conduct of lectures and other activities. 

Faculty, staff and students also planted 101 narra seedlings in the campus. CTE Dean Eliza T. Samson said narra tree was chosen due to the present MMSU leadership’s aim of making CTE as the “narra college” of the university. She added that narra tree, which belongs to Pterocarpus species and considered as the Philippine national tree, resembles the resiliency of the college.

Aside from narra seedlings, 101 ornamental plants were also planted at the CTE’s Normalite Park. The plants include santan, oliva, bandera, española, buenavista, among others.

“In the 101st year of MMSU-CTE, we look forward to more recognition for the college, hoping that we would be able to surpass new challenges through our synergistic efforts,” Dr. Samson enthused. She revealed that the college will submit its programs for accreditation by the Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities in the Philippines (AACCUP) in November and will undergo Institutional Sustainability Assessment (ISA) process by the Commission on Higher Education next year.

Dr. Samson hopes that CTE degree programs would pass Level IV, Phase I accreditation, and would renew the college’s status as Center for Excellence in Teacher Education. She said these could be achieved through exhibiting stellar performances in the licensure exams, and sustaining other remarkable accomplishments.

In August, the Sentro Ng Wika at Kultura based at CTE was awarded Selyo ng Kahusayan sa Wika at Kultura bestowed by the Komisyon ng Wikang Filipino due to its contributions in preserving the Ilocano language and in promoting the Filipino language.

The college day kicked-off early in the morning, with CTE personnel joining the “Walk for a Cause and Hataw Sayaw”, one of the activities of the Civil Service Commission in celebrating the 2018 Philippine Civil Service Anniversary. 

Then, faculty, staff and students partook of the “Breakfast at 101,” consisting of 101 pieces each of different types of food such as boiled eggs, bread, and fruits, among others. This was served at the college’s room 101. This was followed by a Thanksgiving Mass at the Laboratory High School Gymnasium.

CTE started as Ilocos Norte Normal School in June 1917. However, it was converted into Northern Luzon Teachers College in June 1963 through Republic Act 3115 and was changed into Northern Luzon State College on June 14, 1973. In 1978 it became the College of Education of MMSU by virtue of PD 1279. It was renamed into College of Teacher Education in 2004. 

Since the shift in the academic calendar in 2017, the anniversary has been observed in September to enable students to join the celebration.