The Iloilo Provincial Government is strengthening the reading abilities of young Ilonggos by empowering teachers with advanced, practical, and child-centered teaching strategies through a two-day Teachers Workshop conducted in partnership with the Synergeia Foundation.
More than 90 teachers and school heads from pilot LGUs under the Proof of Concept (POC) on the Devolution of Basic Education and the Bulig Eskwela (BES) Basa programs took part in the training held on November 19–20, 2025.
By equipping teachers with stronger tools and methods, the Provincial Government ensures direct benefits to learners, especially those in early grades who need consistent, effective support in developing foundational reading skills.
The workshop, facilitated by the Synergeia Foundation and supported by the Iloilo Provincial Education Core Group, provided teachers with hands-on strategies to help students grasp vocabulary, understand text deeply, and develop higher-order thinking skills. These include active learning techniques, creative storytelling, vocabulary games, close reading exercises, and analytical activities that allow learners to build confidence and joy in reading.
Synergeia Chairperson Dr. Milwida Guevara led discussions on celebrating gains in reading and addressing persistent gaps, while program officers Annie de Leon and Edwin Nacionales guided the participants in reflecting on what works well and identifying the specific interventions needed to support struggling readers.
Special sessions on culture and arts, critical thinking, mentoring, and teacher motivation enriched the two-day workshop, with experts like Mr. John Silva of the Ortigas Foundation, Rene Pizarro, and Oskar Atendido sharing frameworks teachers can apply immediately in their classrooms.
With this intervention, learners are expected to better understand stories, expand their vocabulary, think critically, stay engaged, and build readiness for higher levels of education.
The Provincial Government underscored that supporting teachers is one of the most effective ways to uplift learners. By investing in teacher development, the Province ensures that children especially those in remote or underserved areas receive the quality instruction they deserve.
#morprogresiloilo