The College of Teacher Education conducted two extension activities designed to strengthen literacy and empower emerging young leaders were successfully conducted at Salindeg-Pong-ol Barraca Elementary School on March 10, 2026, highlighting a shared commitment to nurturing academic growth and leadership among elementary learners.
The first activity, “Reading Our Culture, One Word at a Time: Reading Literacy,” aimed to strengthen pupils’ reading proficiency while nurturing a deeper appreciation for Ilokano culture. During the session, learners were introduced to commonly used Ilokano words and culturally relevant vocabulary, making the reading experience more engaging, meaningful, and closely connected to their local identity. To further enrich the learning process, the activity incorporated arts integration through a coloring task that allowed pupils to creatively express their understanding of the words and concepts discussed. This hands-on exercise served as the culminating activity of the literacy session, reinforcing both comprehension and creativity among the young learners.
The second extension program, “Empowering Young Leaders: Gender Responsive First Aid and Climate Action for Resilient Communities,” brought together young student leaders for a two-day seminar designed to strengthen their leadership capacities while equipping them with essential skills in first aid, disaster preparedness, and climate-responsive action. The activity highlighted the importance of youth participation in building safer, more resilient communities by fostering awareness, responsibility, and proactive engagement in addressing environmental and emergency challenges.
Highlighting the first day of the seminar were lectures delivered by Mr. Justin Soria, Coordinator of the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management. He led discussions on “Youth First Responders: Basic First Aid for Safe and Inclusive Communities,” where participants were introduced to essential first aid knowledge and practical skills needed during emergencies. This was followed by his talk on “Climate Change and Disaster Preparedness: The Role of Young Leaders,” which emphasized the vital role of youth in promoting disaster awareness, preparedness, and collective action toward building safer and more resilient communities.
On the second day, Dr. Victoria Arce, former Director of the Center for Gender and Development, delivered a lecture on “Gender Equality and Inclusive Leadership for Young Leaders.” Her session highlighted the importance of gender responsiveness, inclusivity, and responsible leadership among the youth.
Participants of the seminar included the officers of the Youth for Environment in Schools Organization and the Supreme Elementary Learner Government, along with their teachers.
The extension activities aimed not only to improve literacy among elementary learners but also to develop socially responsible, disaster-aware, and gender-responsive young leaders who can contribute to safer and more resilient communities.
Article by Fely De Guzman
