Public schools promote peace through simultaneous storytelling

Pasig City (25 September) — The Department of Education (DepEd) slates a nationwide storytelling event to promote peace on September 28, 2009. All public elementary and high schools are enjoined to use peace-oriented tales during their English, Filipino or Edukasyong Pagpapakatao subjects.

Dubbed as Kwentong Pangkapayapaan: Mga Kwentong Binasa Mo, Natututunan ng Puso, the campaign supports Executive Order 570 entitled Institutionalizing Peace Education in Basic Education and Teacher Education.

Education Secretary Jesli Lapus said, “We harness education, seeing it is as one vital and effective tool for peace to take root, especially in areas where there is conflict.”

DepEd promotes reading stories that promote peace and understanding which can be engaging and enlightening to both young and old. They are among the department’s tool in building and nurturing a climate of peace in schools and communities.

He added, “Stories allow us to examine our attitude and prejudices and to turn our focus on the similarities rather than the differences.”

Lapus draws support from all stakeholders as the campaign aims to increase awareness and appreciation of creative and non-violent ways of resolving conflict. The event also aims to facilitate in removing biases and prejudices against Filipinos in Mindanao.

Last year, DepEd joined the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), DepEd, Commission on Higher Education (CHEd), National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) and civil society representatives in drafting the implementing rules and regulation (IRR) for Executive Order 570.

DepEd and OPAPP have also developed elementary and high school peace education exemplars as a way of mainstreaming peace education in the basic formal and non-formal education curriculum.

According to EO 570, DepEd will spearhead the mainstreaming peace education concepts, skills and values in the learning content of the basic education and alternative learning systems (ALS).

It is tasked to encourage and nurture local peace initiatives in schools, ALS local systems and communities and to organize peace education learning circles/teams in the region, division and school level.

Lapus noted, “Our practical experience shows that without education, the community cannot develop its full potential.”

The DepEd Chief directed Region and Division Peace Education Coordinators as well as English supervisors to engage the schools on the peace education activities. (DepEd)