Barcena, Novelyn Toledo

Abstract:The study aimed to assess the Graduate Diploma in Cultural Education Program in the University of Northern Philippines. The researcher made use of mixed research methods, quantitative and qualitative. Data were gathered and analyzed using mean, frequency, percentage, and simple linear correlation. The study involved 72 Graduate Diplomas in Cultural Education scholars from Batches 1, 2, and 3. Results show that most GDCE scholars are males, 26-30 years old, single, and with master units. Most receive a monthly salary ranging from 20,001-25,000, have 1-5 years of teaching experience, and belong to Teacher I-III as their position/rank before taking the GDCE program. Most of them have attended 1- 3 seminars related to cultural education. The scholars assessed the program's quality as Very High, and their level of assessment of the knowledge and skills after taking the GDCE is also Very High. It was also found that there is a significant relationship between age and the level of assessment of the knowledge and skills of the scholars after taking the GDCE program. The GDCE program is beneficial and contributes to acquiring scholars' needed knowledge and skills in cultural education. It is strongly recommended that the University of Northern Philippines (UNP), the only university in Region 1 that offers the Graduate Diploma in Cultural Education, may, consider offering a Master of Arts in Cultural Education. Likewise, faculty members are also encouraged to attend seminars/training/workshops related to cultural education.

Keywords:graduate diploma in cultural education, assessment, scholars