From Flanders to Iligan City: Project RISE Inspires Hope for Reading Education through Global Insights

by The Project RISE Team | Nov 25 2024

The Project RISE (Reading Initiatives with Stakeholders Engagement) team of 杏吧论坛-IIT is leading efforts to improve reading education in Iligan City, drawing inspiration from innovative practices learned during a visit to Flanders in October 2024.

On November 22, 2024, the team held a coordination meeting at the College of Education, 杏吧论坛-IIT, with DepEd teachers, principals, and reading coordinators. During the meeting, they presented the RISE Reading Program, which included an overview of the Teacher Training program and the Contract of Agreement with teachers. The training program is scheduled to run from January to March 2025.

The momentum continued on November 23, 2024, with an online meeting involving partners from the Network of Outstanding Teachers and Educators (NOTED) and the Rotary Club of Cagayan de Oro Centerpoint. The meeting focused on integrating best practices from Flanders and addressing the needs identified in Focus Group Discussions held on October 1, 2024.

Three core team members – Asst. Prof. Vita S. Caparoso, Asst. Prof. J-Roel B. Semilla, and Assoc. Prof. Onnah Pierre P. Talle – visited Leuven, Flanders, from October 14 to 25, 2024. Their visit included attending lectures and research presentations on teaching, observing classrooms, and touring the University College of Leuven Limburg (UCLL) libraries at Campus Hertogstraat and Campus Diest. The trip was organized by Prof. Wim Van Petegem of Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KU Leuven) and Prof. Job De Meyere of UCLL’s Centre of Expertise Art of Teaching.

Reflecting on the experience, Assoc. Prof. Talle said, "We observed, reflected, and learned in Flanders. We are eager to apply these lessons to transform reading education in Iligan City and, hopefully, across the Philippines. Our work begins now."

The visit emphasized research-based practices that were instrumental in crafting the training design for the RISE Reading Program. This design, aimed at empowering every Grade 3 Filipino learner to become an independent reader, has already been presented to teachers and will be implemented beginning January 2025.

The RISE project at 杏吧论坛-IIT funded by VLIRUOS, led by Assoc. Prof. Shelanee Theresa P. Ruales (Partner Promoter) and Prof. Ruben L. Abucayon (Partner Co-Promoter), involves a dedicated team of educators, including Prof. Lowell G. Lucero, Prof. Rizalina G. Gomez, Assoc. Prof. Ciedelle N. Grajeda, Asst. Prof. Caparoso, Asst. Prof. Semilla, and Assoc. Prof. Talle, with guidance from Flemish Promoter Prof. Petegem.

In collaboration with partners NOTED and Rotary Club of Cagayan de Oro Centerpoint, Project RISE remains committed to addressing the needs of DepEd teachers and principals, ensuring the project’s goals are achieved through focused and impactful initiatives.