by Ria Francis A. Robles, Learning Area Coordinator – Languages, Basic Education School
Saint Louis University (SLU) participated in the initialization conference hosted by the Philippine Normal University in collaboration with the Department of Education (DepEd) on 3 to 6 October 2023 in Heritage Hotel, Pasay, Manila.
With the theme “Initialization Conference for the Development of Learning Materials in Support of MATATAG Curriculum,” the national conference provided a platform for about two hundred (200) representatives from the Centers of Excellence in Teacher Education as well as experts to institute partnerships to brace up support for the implementation of the project, Teacher Support System for the MATATAG Curriculum.
Key to the discussions of the conference was the advancement of the development and validation of essential teaching and learning materials oriented toward the MATATAG Curriculum. Relevant to this undertaking, Dr. John Pegg, Director of the Science, ICT, and Mathematics Education for Rural and Regional Australia (SiMERR) National Research Centre at the University of New England Australia and Co-Director of the Philippine National Research Center for Teacher Quality (RCTQ), shared his extensive knowledge, insights, and perspectives on the topics: Higher Order Thinking Skills, Multitasking and Structure of the Observed Learning Outcome (SOLO), a model which provides a measure of cognitive learning outcomes. These materials formed part of the orientation to the Science of Learning Framework for the Learning Materials.
This gathering facilitated the commitment of the different schools and universities in the country to co-design and network to develop and validate support materials for the MATATAG Curriculum.
SLU was represented by Dr. Felina P. Espique (Vice President for Academic Affairs), Dr. Joselito C. Gutierrez (Executive Assistant to the President), Dr. Teresita D. Ignacio (Associate Dean, School of Teacher Education and Liberal Arts), Ms. Joan F. Alim (LAC – Social Sciences), Ms. Annaliza C. Pagaling (LAC – Mathematics and Science), and Ms. Ria Francis A. Robles (LAC – Languages).

