By Archie John Blas, STRATCOM Correspondent

The Mariano Marcos State University’s College of Teacher Education (MMSU-CTE), Teacher Education Institutions (TEIs), and the Department of Education (DepEd) divisions in Ilocos Norte have joined forces to launch a consortium aimed at unifying and enhancing teacher education across the province on August 28 and 29.

The initiative was formalized in a two-day meeting. On the first day, MMSU met with leaders of Divine Word College of Laoag (DWCL), Data Center College of the Philippines (DCCP) Laoag, Northwestern University (NWU), and Northern Christian College (NCC) to foster collaboration and share innovations in teacher education.

On the second day, officials from the DepEd divisions of Laoag City, City of Batac, and Ilocos Norte joined the discussion, focusing on improving teacher preparation, professional development, and research.

Key initiatives include onboarding programs for new teachers, mentorship networks, annual provincial conferences on pedagogical innovations, and multi-institutional research clusters on educational issues in Northern Luzon. MMSU-CTE’s Center for Teaching Excellence (CTEx) will also offer C-Talks Masterclasses on topics like AI and inclusive pedagogy, with CPD-accredited sessions for professional growth.

“The consortium is the key to unify TEIs and DepEd divisions in the province. It envisions bringing together teacher education institutions, sharing practices and resources, and making innovations to create impact,” said Dr. Ronald Candy S. Lasaten, dean of MMSU-CTE.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is being prepared for signing by October 2025, with plans to include international partners in the future.

Through this consortium, Ilocos Norte’s TEIs and DepEd divisions commit to strengthen teacher education, ensuring that educators are equipped with the skills and knowledge to meet challenges and contribute meaningfully to local communities.

📸Mr. Nick Flores, MMSU CTE E-Gallery