The 11th regional assembly for the Catholic Education Association of the Philippines (CEAP) 2024 was held at the gymnasium of the Our Lady of the Pillar College-Cauayan, Inc.
It focused on uplifting educators as pilgrims of hope and the event saw the participation of 262 educators, representing a total of 19 Catholic schools from various parts of Region II: Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, and Nueva Vizcaya.
A new CEAP vision and mission were discussed by Jose Allan I. Arellano, the Executive Director. As the assembly progressed, various discernments and advocacies were brought forward, aimed at supporting and enhancing the role of Catholic educators in shaping the future of the country’s youth.
Multiple key initiatives were also highlighted. The Education Commission (EDCOM 2) is set to work with partners to collect and validate the location data of over 12,000 private schools, based on the Department of Education’s Basic Education Information System (BEIS). This initiative aims to inform EDCOM’s priorities for complementarity and legislative efforts, particularly concerning the expansion of the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (GASTPE) program and possible interventions beyond vouchers.
CEAP also participated in the Department of Education’s first quarterly consultation meeting with private educational associations held on January 23. This gathering served as a platform for discussing the critical issues facing private schools, and how the private and public education sectors can complement each other in addressing educational challenges.
Last agenda they discussed was about the potential shift in the academic calendar to a June opening. CEAP attended a DepEd meeting on January 16, 2024, to provide insights on this transition, following DepEd Order No. 22, s. 2023. CEAP emphasized the adaptability of private schools to extreme heat and their advocacy for flexible educational delivery systems, particularly during the Senate public hearing held on April 30.
Overall, the CEAP 2024 assembly discussed how to strengthen and improve the association, beginning with the role of the Catholic educator as the pilgrim and agent of hope for students.
Words by Clark Lester M. Ramos and Samantha Keith R. Natividad
Photos by JHS photojournalists: Grizzabella Fatima M. Casauay, Freiza Mishca C. Zafra, Althea Mikaela Palaguittu, Argeline Castro, Samantha U. Sola