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RCM-Ateneo Teacher Training Program graduates trainees from 10 MMA city divisions, 6 schools

The PP Ever Macatulad Teacher Training Program, a joint project of RC Makati, our Makati Rotary Club Foundation, Inc. (MRCFI), and the Ateneo Center for Educational Development (ACED), turned out another batch of teacher-trainees at the 10 th closing ceremonies held on Sunday, 4 th March, at the Ateneo Grade School Auditorium at Loyola Heights , Quezon City .

There to represent the Club were PP Jonny Carlos , in his capacity as MRCFI president, and Francis Macatulad, chairman of the Teacher Training Program Committee. Also there was Ting Ayllon, as CEO and chairman of the Board of Insular Life, a major funding partner.

This year's 182 program participants were public school teachers from 6 city divisions under the Department of Education—Caloocan, Parañaque, Marikina, Muntinlupa, Valenzuela and Makati, and 5 elementary Schools—Baging Silang, Culiat, Payatas B Annex, Lupang Pangako, and Payatas C. Of the 182 teachers, 108 were sponsored by the Club. The graduates received their certificates from Fr. Bienvenido Nebres, S.J ., Ateneo president, and the program sponsors. Since 1996, some 2,000 trainees have benefited from the program, about 800 of them sponsored by RC Makati.

In his speech, Francis traced the history of the program which was conceptualized and initiated by his father, the late PP Ever Macatulad, after whom the project has been named. Excerpts of his speech:

“ I would like to congratulate all of you teachers and principals for completing your training programs. We at the Rotary Club of Makati are proud to be the principal partner of the Public School Teacher Training Program. In fact, our Club's involvement began even before the Ateneo Center for Educational Development was founded. At our Rotary Club, this program is called the PP Ever Macatulad Teacher Training Program, in memory of my late father, Ever, who was our Club's past President. I'm very proud to say that it was my father's idea who gave birth to this program.

“My father was greatly inspired by the ideas of his good friend Raul Roco, the late former Senator and former Secretary of Education, with whom he shared the same views on education. They believed that education was the key to breaking the cycle of poverty. They believed that better education was our hope for a better future---that education was the Great Equalizer. And they believed that if we are to improve our educational system, it must begin with improving the skills of our educators.

“ Thus, in 1996, in partnership with the Ateneo de Manila University, the Rotary Club of Makati started the Public School Teacher Training Program with a pioneer class of 100 teachers. The next year, again in close partnership with the Ateneo, we helped establish the Ateneo Center for Educational Development. ACED is now on its 10 th year and has helped empower over 2,000 educators. Of this number, our Rotary Club has sponsored close to 800 teachers.

“ Our teacher-graduates, armed with better knowledge and skills, have returned to their schools and we have already started to see positive effects. Several participating schools have seen their national rankings improve; some teachers have been motivated to pursue further self-improvement by taking masters degrees in education; other teachers have become department heads; some have even authored their own books. And with your commitment to “echo” or pass on the skills you have learned here to your fellow-teachers back home, our program to improve our education system is snowballing and is fast becoming a movement. The small seed that we planted 11 years ago is bearing fruit--- and from this tiny seed, a thousand flowers will bloom.

“ This month, I take over the chairmanship of the Macatulad Teacher Training Program. With the continued support of the ACED, the Rotary Club of Makati intends to continue achieving the gains we have made. I would like to commit today, that as long as there are teachers like you who are motivated enough to acquire better skills, we will be here to help train you. As long as there are people like you who share our vision for a better educational system, we will be here to work with you. And as long as there are children out there who desire a better future for themselves, their family, and our country, the Rotary Club of Makati will continue this partnership with the Ateneo Center for Educational Development.

“ In closing, I would like to recall the words of former Secretary Raul Roco, who said: “ Kayong mga guro and mga tunay na bayani! ” You, our dear teachers, hold the key to our children's future---the fate of our country is in your hands. It's a big responsibility, but it's a task that is made much easier if we continue working together hand-in-hand.”