RAFI rolls out school reopening modules for school heads, teachers

After two years of learning from home through modules and behind computer screens, learners and  teachers across the country look forward to the reopening of face-to-face classes. 

As the country eases out of the pandemic and more schools are given the greenlight to hold face-to-face  classes, schools are hard at work preparing for the safe reopening of classes. 

To support the safe reopening of schools, the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. (RAFI) partnered with the  Global School Leaders (GSL) for the delivery of content and modules of GSL’s Upya Program. “Upya,” a Kiswahili term for renewal, aims to enable school leaders to lead effectively through a crisis. 

The Upya Program contains three modules, these include the School Reopening for School Heads program, focused on equipping and preparing school heads in the safe reopening of schools by sharing best practices; the Technology for Learning and Management for School Heads program, focused on introducing various learning technologies for synchronous and asynchronous learning to school heads; and the Emergency Remote and Blended Teaching for Teachers program, focused on supporting teachers in their remote and blended teaching journey and supporting them in developing an emergency teaching-learning plan. 

RAFI EDU, in partnership with the RAFI Center of Leaders (RAFI CFL), modified the Upya Program modules and developed more localized versions of the modules—making these more relevant to the Filipino school heads and teachers. Last June 14 to 16, 2022, a group of school heads and teachers from the  DepEd Cebu South Districts attended the beta course implementation.

“It is very nice to be able to participate in this training because it helps me grow. As school heads, we  too require this kind of training where we can express ourselves,” shared Mary Lady C. Uytico, Principal  1 of Julian Enad Memorial NHS, Sibonga. Uytico participated in the School Reopening and Technology for  Learning and Management modules. A total of 12 school heads and 9 teachers from Department of  Education Cebu South District Schools participated in the pioneer module rollout.  

“This is one of the best trainings (we’ve ever had). All those (activities) are very relevant to our jobs as  school leaders and as mentors,” added Imelda Gealon, Argao 1 & 2 Public Schools District Supervisor. 

To ensure relevant content and delivery of the modified Upya program, RAFI EDU is working closely with  the pioneer batch of teachers for feedback and areas of improvement. Once beta testing and module  refinement are completed, full rollout of the program will begin.  

“We look forward to supporting our school communities in the safe reopening of schools. The RAFI  Education Development Unit is committed to helping build a thriving community of school leaders who  are responsive to the rapid changing education landscape and are ready to welcome our learners in  their respective schools,” said Sheerene Abrea, Officer-in-Charge of the RAFI Education Development  Unit. 

RAFI EDU aims to train 100 school leaders and 100 schoolteachers, impacting over 25,000 learners in  Cebu South.  

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Global School Leaders is an international non-profit organization focused on mobilizing key stakeholders  to invest and participate in school leadership training. We work with funders, governments, and NGOs in  low and middle-income countries (LMIC) to strengthen their education systems. 

The Education Development Unit of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. aims to improve the  wellbeing of learners on the margins to prepare them for a changing world through enabling  communities of learning by leveraging resources to bridge education gaps. 

The RAFI Center for Leaders provides learning and development programs that equip leaders and enable  communities through world-class, safe, powerful learning experiences. The RAFI CFL headquarters are  located in the scenic mountains of Balamban, Cebu at the Kool Adventure Camp, the country’s first and  fully dedicated adventure education facility.