CHED awards state universities, colleges in Caraga
By NiΓ±a Jonalyn G. Diamante
BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) recognized the four state universities and colleges (SUCs) in Caraga region as awardees of the Excellence in Quality Assurance in Teacher Education (EQUATE) on April 2 in a ceremony at the Manila Hotel, Rizal Park, Ermita, Manila.
The SUC awardees in the region included the Caraga State University (CSU)-Main Campus in Ampayon, Butuan City; Philippine Normal University (PNU) – Mindanao Campus in Patin-ay, Agusan del Sur; Agusan del Sur State College of Agriculture and Technology (ASSCAT) in Bunawan, Agusan del Sur; and North Eastern Mindanao State University (NEMSU) – Tagbina Campus, Surigao del Sur.
“Not only will schools not function without teachers, but our communities as well will not function without them,” said Atty. Cinderella Filipina Benitez-Jaro, executive director of CHED as she quoted one of President Ferdinand R. Marcos’s messages during the awarding ceremony.
“Today we gather to celebrate and recognize the invaluable contributions of 120 teacher education institutions (TEIs) out of 1,553 TEIs who are exemplars of both elementary and secondary education programs,” Jaro added
According to Jaro, the creation of the EQUATE Awards is CHED’s response to the president’s call for more competent, reliable, and dedicated educators through strengthening the TEIs to ensure that they are at par with global standards.
The EQUATE Award is given to TEIs who exhibit excellence in providing pre-service teacher education such as consistent adherence to CHED standards, successful program accreditation, and outstanding results in the Board Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers (BLEPT).
Dr. Edizon A. Fermin, the chairperson of the Technical Panel for Teacher Education, shared to the awardees the benefits of being conferred with this award from CHED, on top of the prestige and enhanced public image that comes with the exemplary distinction.
“The recipients of this recognition are prioritized to access the application process for development grants so that you could not only make the best better but may I add, make the best better, together, and for all,” he said.
He explained that these developmental programs aim to support the upskilling of the faculty, staff, and students of pedagogical institutions in their endeavor for continuous improvement of quality higher education. Some examples of such programs are: accreditation as “Centers of Excellence” or COEs and “Centers of Development” or COD; National Agriculture and Fisheries Education System (NAFES); thesis/dissertation grants for faculty members; among others.
Meanwhile, Emelyn F. Sagrado, associate professor and Elementary Education Chair of ASSCAT proudly expressed her enthusiasm as she received the award with their College President Joy C. Capistrano, and their College of Teacher Education Dean, Shiryl T. Ytoc.
“This recognition underscores our commitment to producing competent and highly qualified educators,” said Sagrado. “We will continue to refine and enhance our programs to better equip future teachers for the evolving demands of the education sector.”, she added.
Another EQUATE Awardee from the province of Surigao del Sur is NEMSU-Tagbina Campus. Annie Y. Samarca, dean of the College of Teacher Education, expressed that the accolade they received is not merely an affirmation of their performance, rather, it is through the joint effort of all the stakeholders comprising their institution that made this possible.
“This achievement reflects not only the exemplary performance of our faculty, staff, and students but also the collective effort to align our educational practices with NEMSU’s strategic goal of ALPAS (Academic Leverage towards Progressive and Above-board Service) — a vision that seeks to position our university as a leading institution that produces socially responsible, research-oriented, and globally competitive professionals,” Samarca said.
The term “ALPAS” which is also a Tagalog word that means “to break free” or “to be released,” was launched in 2024 representing NEMSU’s commitment to excellence in governance, leadership, and education. This initiative is part of the university’s medium-term development plan, aiming to foster innovation, sustainable development, and transformative education—proving their worthiness of the EQUATE Award.
The EQUATE Awards is an addition to the accolades given by CHED designed to recognize and promote excellence, innovation, and quality in higher education institutions (HEIs) across the Philippines. (NJGD, PIA Caraga)
