Written by: Ma. Lita P. Kaiklian, Teacher I             

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             teacher must be committed to the character formation of every student. In order to achieve                        this, the teacher must work hard to become man and woman of character. Teach the students

             virtues first through the power of good example. This was the conclusion  arrived at by the almost 300 teachers and staff who participated in the GAD seminar organized by Imus National High School.

              In cognizant of the Department of Education (DepEd) issuance of Gender-Responsive Basic Education Policy in line with its Gender and Development (GAD) mandate as stipulated in the 1987 Philippine Constitution, Republic Act (RA) No. 9710 or the Magna Carta of Women (MCW), RA 10533 or the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013, Imus National High School organized a three-day GAD seminar and Team Building Activity on October 24-26, 2018 at Iba, Zambales  to continuously capacitate all INHS-Main personnel.

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               ll school heads, with the leadership of Mr. Arturo P. Rosaroso Jr., collaborated to create a         

               seminar-training program that will fill the gaps in the knowledge of gender issues among   

               Imuseños and improve basic education services.

               Day 1 of the GAD commenced through an opening prayer, singing of the national anthem,  recitation of the pledge of allegiance and Department of Education core values, singing of Imus hymn and Imuseño Disiplinado through an audio-visual presentation and leadership of Cepriano B. Baraquiel and Brandon Parreñas, teachers of TLE and English respectively. Ms. Moneth D. Delantar, OIC of AP Department formally started the seminar through her opening remarks while Ms. Elizabeth L. Sasis HT-VI of Science Department presented the participants.

                Mr. Arturo P. Rosaroso Jr., Principal IV of INHS delivered his inspirational message to a plenary of 295 participants. He stressed the importance of happy family, work, lifestyle, community and relationship with God Almighty. A teacher must be able to balance and manage time to attend to all these, not sacrificing any of the aspects indicated.

The first speaker, Ms. Marilou M. Martin, talked about “DepEd Order # 32 s. 2017 (Gender-Responsive Basic Education Policy)”. Culling from DepEd orders and Memoranda, she highlighted the fact that strengthening character formation and knowledge of Gender Sensitive Issues was a sure mark of any effective school and teacher improvement program. 

                  Mr. Elmer M. Dayrit, HT II of MAPEH department, discussed the importance of empowering the teachers and their role in making gender awareness programs in schools effective. He presented the ideas of Gender Equity and Equality that can help the participants push in character                formation of the learners the value of   fairness. 
             The third speaker, Ms. Moneth D. Delantar, a seasoned teacher and OIC of AP Department, talked about “Sensitivity and Non-Discrimination”. Using her almost two decades of experience as a teacher, she shared with the participants, concrete strategies and tools that she found effective in helping parents,     teachers and students face gender related issues. 

              Ms. Maria Elena D. Lomeda, MT- II and OIC of ESP Department discussed the rules and guidelines for the two remaining days of the seminar which were spent with various capacity building and team building programs and activities.

              The seminar was one of the annual activities of INHS.  It is a Department of Education’s mandate committed to fostering effective gender sensitive awareness, activities and programs, serving as the leading resource and guide for teachers when dealing with people in schools and communities. The seminar focuses on defining and encouraging effective  and approaches to quality character education and provides a forum for the exchange of ideas.