By Niña Christelle M. Sumintac

Correspondent

The Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) is currently implementing the Professional Development Program (PDP) for the teaching and non-teaching personnel of the Department of Education (DepEd) Schools Division in Apayao. 

Spearheaded by the College of Teacher Education (CTE), the online training program aims to train the DepEd personnel on effective instruction, communication, management, and research. 

Dr. Bert Gamiao, program training director, said the program is in line with the DepEd’s Individual Professional Development Plan (IPDP), the department’s annual program that assists its personnel to calibrate their competencies. 

Dr. Imelda Najorda, program training coordinator, said the program is composed of six webinar-workshops to be conducted for the whole year. These topics include oral and written communication skills; improving communication skills on school managers; training design preparation; program/project development and management; research; and music. 

The webinar-workshop on communication was already conducted last June 2-4. Meanwhile, the webinar for school managers currently runs from June 8-11. 

Project leaders were Dr. Rosabel Acosta, chair of secondary education department; Dr. Edna Nagtalon, chair of elementary education department; Prof. Irene Acuna, chair of early childhood and special needs education department; Prof, Johnson Blanco, OIC chair of technical vocational and livelihood education department; Dr. Najorda and Prof. John Paul Vallente, college’s extension and research coordinators; and Prof. Maybeline Sta. Maria, chair of human movement and arts education department. 

Dr. Eliza T. Samson, CTE dean and project consultant, said “the training program is one of the prime moves of the college in providing programs and activities that capacitate manpower for quality instruction, management, and education.”

“This extension program proves MMSU as a university for all, leading holistic and balanced transformation thru its various programs,” expressed Dr. Aris Reynold V. Cajigal, extension director and project consultant. 

The program was formalized through a memorandum of agreement signed by Dr. Prima Fe R. Franco, vice president for academic affairs (representing MMSU President Shirley C. Agrupis), and Dr. Benedicta B. Gamatero, schools division superintendent of DepEd-Apayao last June 2. – with Daniel P. Tapaoan, Jr. (StratCom)