INNOTECH LOOKS INTO EXPANDING EXCELS

SEAMEO INNOTECH held on May 4 a consultative meeting with partner higher education institutions (HEIs) and teacher education institutions (TEIs) regarding the expansion of the implementation of its eXCELS flexible learning courses. With the theme, “Transformational Change Management & Leadership Excellence in the Continuing Professional Development of Southeast Asian Educators and Education Leaders,” the expansion of the following flexible learning courses was discussed: * ICeXCELS (Instructional and Curricular Excellence in School Leadership); * SUPEReXCELS (Supervision Excellence in School Leadership); * TEACHeXCELS (Teaching-Learning Excellence in School Leadership); * PEACeXCELS (Peace Education Excellence in School Leadership); * CHANGeXCELS (Change Management and Leadership Excellence); and * GURO 21 (Gearing Up Responsible and Outstanding Teachers in Southeast Asia in the 21st century). The consultative meeting gave partner HEIs and TEIs the chance to be acquainted with the new and upcoming flexible learning courses, and, at the same time, review these for their respective institution’s accreditation. Likewise, the meeting provided an opportunity to network with other local and international teacher education/higher education institutions. The ongoing course aims to replicate this experience in Indonesia, Cambodia and other sites in the Philippines. Designed to support existing school health programs and structures and not as a stand-alone mechanism, Fit for School hopes to avoid resistance from school personnel saddled with multiple roles by involving them in implementation while getting the local government units to provide for the resources and the community to build water, sanitation and hygiene facilities.