With the aim to put a continuum to quality Catholic education, the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP) formally presented the members of the Technical Working Group (TWG) for its project Philippine Catholic School Standards for Higher Education (PCSS-HE) during the School Head’s meeting held last September 26, 2017 at SMX Davao.
The members include Dr. Miguel Q. Rapatan of De La Salle University, Dr. Arnaldo S.De Guzman of University of Perpetual Help-Calamba, Fr. Elmer G. Dizon of Archdiocese of San Fernando (Pampanga) Educational System, Fr. Ferdinand T. Maguigad of Lyceum of Aparri, Dr. Jasmin N. Galace of Mirriam College, Mr. Lunar T. Fayloga of Ateneo de Davao University, Dr. Pilar I. Romero of University of Santo Tomas, Fr. Ramon Claro G. Mendez, OP of Angelicum School-Iloilo City, Sr.Teresita C. Babaran, St. Joseph’s College-QC, Fr. Thadeu Enrique N. Balongag of Diocese of Dumaguete. The Rite of Commissioning was hosted by Fr. Joebert
Villasis,CEAP NHEC Chair, and presided over byFr. Joel E. Tabora, S.J., CEAPPresident.
The members of the TWG are still in the process of crafting the Defining Characteristics, Standards, Benchmarks, and Rubrics that identify and distinguish the core characteristics of excellent faith-based Higher Educational Catholic Institutions. There are high hopes for the extension of the PCSS to Higher Education given the successful roll out of its Basic Education counterpart. With its contents being drafted, the heart of the program will still confront the challenges of identifying the true standards for transformative and quality Catholic education. The PCSS-HE is guided by the following questions: What does it mean to be a Catholic school in the twenty-first century? Given the various forms of educational innovations, what makes a Catholic school distinct from others? What are its concrete indicators of excellence? How can these indicators be evident, promoted and sustained? Are there standards of excellence unique to Catholic schools that they can uphold and follow?