By Nestle G. Taala
Dr. Sabijon (1st picture, upper left) with other expert educators and principals from other countries during the international conference.
Dr. Ananias C. Sabijon, Jr. (Ph.D. in Education, Curriculum Development), Director of Central Philippine University Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence (CTLE) was invited and served as the Session Chair of the Virtual Panel Discussion on the “Role of Principals to Enhance Science Learning,” a Technical Session in connection with the 2nd International Conference on STEAM 2021.
The eight other expert educators and principals from Nepal, Bangladesh, Philippines, India, and Vietnam joined as panelists during the technical session and panel discussion. Prof. Olga Shkrabachenka, Country Head, GEIST Ukraine Chapter, served as the moderator.
It can be recalled that Dr. Sabijon started his teaching career as an elementary school teacher at Central Philippine University Elementary School (CPUES), where he taught Science and Health, and Mathematics. He was a regional awardee (Region VI) of the Dr. Juan Salcedo, Jr. Science Education Award, and a 9th placer in the national level.
In addition, he was the principal of CPU Elementary School when it was awarded the highest level of accreditation for elementary school, (Level III) by the Association of Christian Schools, Colleges and Universities, Accrediting Agency Incorporated (ACSCU-ACI). On the attainment of the highest level of accreditation by the university elementary school, he has acknowledged the strong support from CPU administration, former CPU Elementary School Principal Dr. Evangelica Diesto-Padernilla, Consultant, Dr. Carmen P. Santos (now a member of the CPU Board of Trustees), elementary school teachers, parents (specifically, the P.T.A.), pupils, and other stakeholders.
As a science teacher and educator, he has received training from Central Philippine University, West Visayas State University, and from the University of the Philippines- Diliman in Quezon City. Likewise, as a Science and Educational Administration Specialist at Hong Kong Baptist University (H.K.B.U.), Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong (SAR); and at Valparaiso University (V.U.), Indiana, USA, as a United Board (UBCHEA) fellow.
Recently, after he participated in a training held in Manila, Philippines, he was awarded the certificate as potential Institutional Sustainability Assessment (ISA) Assessor by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Republic of the Philippines. In the same year, he was awarded the certificate as the United Board for Christian Higher Education in Asia (UBCHEA) Whole Person Education (WPE) Academy participant. During the academy, he was trained as WPE trainer together with other participants from selected universities in Southeast Asia. The academy sessions and the harvest seminar were held at Ateneo de Manila University, Philippines and at Sanata Dharma University, Jogyakarta, Indonesia, respectively.
During the synthesis part of the panel discussion, Session Chair Dr. Sabijon reported the following:
To enhance Science/STEAM learning, the panelists/principals pointed out the importance of creating a STEAM, specifically technology-structured and enhanced teaching-learning environment in the schools, the inclusion of real-life school-related activities, use of research and experiential and problem-based learning, and other inquiry-based methods of teaching and learning. Specific activities like the conduct of science fairs, field trips, and other community engaging activities have also been highlighted.
Most importantly, highlighting the role of the principals as instructional leaders in relation to Science/STEAM learning, the panelists shared some actions they have done such as the: conduct of curriculum reviews, daily lesson planning, and the inclusion of STEAM/STEM subjects in the formal school curriculum.
The International Conference was organized by the Global Educators Initiative for Sustainable Transformation (GEIST) International Foundation (GIF), in collaboration with other international sponsoring agencies, with the theme ”Science Education with Innovation.” The international event was attended by 128 delegates from 26 countries and six continents.
Dr. Sabijon is thankful to the GEIST International Foundation and to CPU for the opportunity to serve as Session Chair in the international level, specifically to Dr. Sabyasachi Majumdar, President of GIEST International Foundation (Global), and to CPU President Dr. Teodoro C. Robles for his approval to participate in said event and for the strong support.