THE SANGGUNIAN Central Board (CB) addressed concerns with regard to the National Service Training Program (NSTP) curriculum during the CB meeting held last August 2.
NSTP is a required program for Filipino college students. The program aims to raise social awareness and contribution among the youth.
The Literacy Training Services (LTS) is one of NSTP’s components that the Ateneo is implementing in its curriculum.
Ateneans taking the LTS component provide tutorial services to underprivileged grade school and high school students in public schools. They also teach out-of-school youth from several communities.
During the CB meeting, John Gokongwei School of Management Sophomore CB Representative Ray Gomez said many of the children he and his batch mates are teaching in NSTP “lacked the foundation” to understand the lessons assigned for their year level.
“Why can’t our NSTP [curriculum] be geared towards addressing that problem?” Gomez asked.
As an example, Gomez said he and his batch mates wouldn’t mind teaching second grade lessons to a fourth grade student.
He further explained that the children from NSTP areas are at different levels academically, with some students understanding the lessons more clearly than the others.
“Sayang efforts naming magturo. (Our efforts are going to waste),” Gomez said.
Sanggunian President Dan Remo assured that the concern would be addressed. He said they would be forwarding the issue to the Office for Social Concern and Involvement.
Sanggunian involvement with NUSP
During the CB meeting, Remo also said the Sanggunian is interested in making partnerships with organizations like The National Union of Students of the Philippines (NUSP).
NUSP is a political organization concerned with the democratic rights and welfare of Filipino students.
Remo explained that partnering with such organizations would help achieve the administration’s goal to politicize the Ateneo community.
“I feel that partnering with external organizations like this will help us bring in social issues in the campus,” he said
NUSP Partnerships Officer Sarah Elago made a presentation of her organization during the CB meeting.
According to Remo, the CB is yet to determine what the NUSP can concretely offer to the Sanggunian.
“The extent of the participation will be determined by the Central Board. I’m very much open to all these external partnerships, not only to NUSP but all relevant organizations,” he said.
With reports from Billy B. Poon
