By Niña Christelle Sumintac, STRATCOM Correspondent

Mariano Marcos State University is now part of a national initiative to strengthen foundational literacy and numeracy in the Philippines, following its inclusion in the Technical Working Group on Teacher Training (TWG-TT) of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II).

MMSU Vice President for Academic Affairs Aris Reynold Cajigal, Center for Teaching Excellence Chief Romelyn Lagura, and College of Teacher Education Student Affairs and Services Coordinator Gina Sylvia Gaoat witnessed the ceremonial signing of the memorandum of cooperation (MoC) on June 30, 2025, held at the Philippine Normal University (PNU) Main Auditorium in Manila.

Through this MoC, MMSU, along with other academic institutions, commits to supporting the implementation of a comprehensive orientation and training program for teachers and school leaders, aimed at enhancing reading, literacy, mathematics, and numeracy skills among learners in the early grades.

As a designated Center of Excellence in Teacher Education, MMSU joins other member institutions and organizations in localizing and delivering the training program in priority schools across the country. The initiative is led by the Department of Education (DepEd), EDCOM II, the USAID-funded ABC+: Advancing Basic Education in the Philippines, and PNU.

Under the agreement, DepEd will lead the development of training materials aligned with the Philippine Professional Standards for Teachers, School Heads, and Supervisors. PNU, as TWG-TT’s lead convener, will design the training model and coordinate its impact assessment, while ABC+ will provide tools to measure learning outcomes and enhance program effectiveness.

MMSU and fellow partner institutions have pledged to ensure quality implementation, contribute to monitoring and evaluation, and mobilize additional local resources when necessary. They also commit to transparency and accountability by observing DepEd protocols and addressing on-the-ground challenges collaboratively.

The initiative forms part of EDCOM II’s mission to push for transformative reforms that will make Philippine education globally competitive and responsive to 21st-century needs.

MMSU President Virgilio Julius P. Manzano, Jr. commits to addressing the challenges in the education sector by being part of the TWG-TT. “This is an important initiative MMSU is proud to be part of. We will ensure, as members of the technical working group, that we contribute to leveling up the academic performance of Filipino students,” he said.