To improve the quality of early childhood care, Saint Louis University (SLU) officially partnered with the Local Government Unit (LGU) of San Quintin, Pangasinan, under the university’s School Training for Advancement and Recalibration (STAR) Program in conducting a curriculum mapping training and Rapid Rural Appraisal (RRA) activity held on 30-31January 2026.
This partnership was established under the leadership of Rev. Fr. Gilbert B. Sales, CICM, University President, and Hon. Mayor Farah Lee Lumahan with the assistance of Rev. Fr. Emery Mwako Ebumea, CICM, SLU Vice President for Mission and Identity; Mrs. Delia C. Quero, Municipal Social Welfare Development Officer; and Mr. Anthony David L. Neri, Social Welfare Officer.
The curriculum mapping training was held at the National Child Development Center (NCDC), San Quintin. It focused on planning a curriculum specifically crafted for daycare workers. The goal was to professionalize and standardize the education provided to the town’s youngest learners. Through the academic expertise of SLU, the program aimed to make every daycare center in San Quintin a center for transformative early development.
The partnership highlighted a strong teaching framework that emphasizes various learning areas, including cognitive, physical, social-emotional, and language development, which are essential for a child’s overall growth. Educators and daycare workers were trained to identify and use scaffolding competencies; this method offers temporary support to learners, helping them master tasks they cannot do on their own yet. This structured approach ensures that young learners are not just watched over but are actively building the foundational skills they need for future academic success. By focusing on these competencies, the program helped close the gap between what a child can currently do and their potential for independent mastery.
The said training was facilitated by Joselito C. Gutierrez, PhD, Executive Assistant to the SLU President; Teresita D. Ignacio, PhD, Associate Dean, School of Teacher Education and Liberal Arts (STELA); and Maureen Jane O. Bandoc, PhD, Quality Assurance Staff.
To keep the government programs relevant and effective, SLU assisted the LGU on the afternoon of 31 January at the San Quintin Events Center in developing a specialized program suited to the specific cultural context and needs of San Quintin. A key part of this preparation was the Rapid Rural Appraisal (RRA), a fast assessment tool used to gather data directly from the community. Mrs. Charmaine P. Mendoza, Head of SLU’s Outreach Programs Office, conducted the RRA that was vital for effective governance because it connects top-down policy design with the real experiences of rural residents.
By using a multidisciplinary approach that combined semi-structured interviews and direct observation, the RRA allowed the LGU to avoid the high costs and long timelines of traditional surveys while still collecting strong, qualitative data. This method identified specific community challenges, such as shortages in daycare resources or unique cultural barriers to learning. It enabled leaders like Mayor Lumahan to direct public funds toward evidence-based programs that provide the highest return on investment. In the end, the RRA ensured that government actions are not just well-meaning but also accurately address the real needs and strengths of the local residents. Thus, SLU assisted the LGU identify the real needs of its constituents, allowing the incumbent administration to plan and fund programs that are based on data and responsiveness.
Through this collaboration of academic rigor and local governance, SLU and San Quintin established a new standard for community-focused educational excellence and community service that aligned with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 4 (Quality Education) and 17 (Partnership for the Goals). (Article and Photos by J. Gutierrez)
