SCHOOLS AS CATALYST FOR COMMUNITY

ENVIRONMENT
(Group Activity)
Group 9 (OV III-6 BPHE)
Barbas, Rica Zhane
Legaspi, Hasmen
Mandreza, Christine Grace
Montero, Lyn Grace

Instructions:
Analyze the following questions critically, drawing from your knowledge of
educational theories, real-world examples, and your own experience in education.
Provide comprehensive responses that include concrete examples and reflect on how
schools and communities can work together to address social issues and improve
educational outcomes. (DO THIS WITH YOUR GROUP)

1. How can schools play a role in addressing specific social issues in your community?
Consider the ways in which your school could contribute to solving problems such as
poverty, inequality, or environmental degradation in your local area.

Key Concepts to Consider:

 Social responsibility of schools
 Schools as agents of change
 Integration of community service and civic education in the curriculum
 Sustainable development and environmental awareness

Guiding Questions:

 What specific social issues are present in your community?

- Our community faces significant environmental challenges due to improper waste disposal.
Garbage is often not disposed properly, leading to flash floods. The practice of burning trash
is also prevalent, which has harmful effects on both our health and the environment.

 How can your school curriculum be adapted to address these issues?

- Philippine Normal University-Visayas, as the Environment and Green Technology

Education Hub, I believe that it is already making strides in addressing environmental issues
through its integrated curriculum and active student engagement. The Sustainability subject,
the core component of the curriculum, empowers students to become agents of change by
providing them with the knowledge and skills to understand and address environmental
challenges. Furthermore, the PNUV Kabilin Eco Club actively collaborates with barangays
on initiatives like mangrove and tree planting, clean-up drives, and other campaigns that
directly protect our environment. These efforts demonstrate the Philippine Normal
University-Visayas commitment to fostering environmental responsibility and creating a
positive impact on the community.
 What role do teachers, students, and administrators play in engaging with these
challenges?

- PNUV’s actions in terms of environmental issues are proof of the collaborative efforts
of teachers, students, and administrators. Teachers play a vital role in shaping
students’ understanding of environmental challenges through the Sustainability
subject, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills. They act as mentors,
guiding students and encouraging their participation in initiatives like the Kabilin Eco
Club. Students are the driving force behind positive change, actively engaging in
community projects, advocating for environmental protection, and applying their
knowledge to real-world solutions. Administrators provide the necessary support and
resources, facilitating collaborations with barangays, promoting student initiatives,
and ensuring the school’s environmental policies are effectively implemented.

 What existing community resources or partnerships can be leveraged to address these

problems?

- LGU
- DENR
- Youth Organizations

Activity:Reflect on the social issues in your local area (e.g., poverty, food insecurity,
environmental pollution). Propose an action plan for how your school can actively
contribute to addressing one or more of these issues. Be specific about the programs,
policies, and partnerships your school could develop.

Action Plan: Trash to Treasure: A Green Living Workshop

Goal: To empower community members with practical knowledge and skills in waste
management, promoting efficient waste segregation, composting, and recycling practices.

Objectives:

- Knowledge Transfer: Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of proper waste

segregation, composting techniques, and various recycling methods.

- Environmental Awareness: Participants will learn about the environmental impact of

improper waste disposal, the dangers of burning trash, and the benefits of adopting eco-
friendly alternatives.

- Behavioral Change: The workshop will encourage participants to adopt sustainable

practices in their daily lives, reducing waste, composting organic materials, and recycling
effectively.
- Community Empowerment: Participants will be empowered to take ownership of their
environment, contribute to a cleaner community, and develop a sense of responsibility for
sustainable practices.

- Economic Benefits: Participants will learn how to utilize waste for economic gain, through
composting for home gardens and creating saleable products from recycled materials.

Target Audience: Community members, including residents, students, and local business
owners.

Workshop Structure:

 Day 1: Waste Segregation and Composting

- Morning Session: Interactive lecture and demonstration on proper waste segregation,
focusing on different waste categories and their disposal methods.

- Afternoon Session: Hands-on activity on setting up and maintaining compost bins, utilizing
kitchen scraps and yard waste. Participants will create their own mini-compost bins to take
home.

 Day 2: Recycling and Upcycling

- Morning Session: Interactive lecture and demonstration on various recycling methods,
including sorting, cleaning, and repurposing materials for new products.

- Afternoon Session: Hands-on activity on upcycling workshops, where participants will

learn to create useful items from recycled materials (e.g., paper crafts, plastic bottle planters).

 Day 3: Environmental Impact and Sustainable Living

- Morning Session: Informative session on the environmental impact of improper waste
disposal, the dangers of burning trash, and the importance of responsible waste management.

- Afternoon Session: Interactive discussion on sustainable living practices, focusing on

reducing waste, promoting reusable items, and adopting eco-friendly alternatives in daily life.

Partnerships:

- Local Government: Collaborate with barangay officials to promote the workshop and
encourage community participation.

- Environmental NGOs: Partner with environmental organizations to provide expertise,

resources, and support for the workshop.
- Local Businesses: Engage with businesses to provide materials, support for recycling
initiatives, and potential markets for recycled products.

Evaluation:

- Pre and Post-Workshop Surveys: Assess participants' knowledge and attitudes towards
waste management before and after the workshop.

- Community Feedback: Gather feedback from participants on the effectiveness of the

workshop and identify areas for improvement.

- Follow-up Activities: Organize follow-up activities, such as community clean-up drives,

composting workshops, and recycling initiatives, to reinforce the knowledge and skills
gained.

Timeline:

- Planning and Preparation: 2-3 months

- Workshop Implementation: 3 days

- Follow-up Activities: Ongoing

Resources:

- Funding: Seek grants from environmental organizations, local businesses, or government

agencies.

- Materials: Secure necessary materials for the workshop, including compost bins, recycling
containers, tools, and educational resources.

- Volunteers: Recruit volunteers from PNUV students, faculty, and community members to
assist with the workshop and follow-up activities.

Expected Outcomes:

- Increased awareness of environmental issues related to waste disposal.

- Improved knowledge and skills in waste management practices.

- Adoption of eco-friendly alternatives in daily life.

 - Reduced waste generation and increased recycling rates.

- Creation of community gardens and economic opportunities through composting and

recycling.

- Enhanced sense of environmental responsibility and community ownership.

2. What are the benefits of involving community members in school decision-making

processes? Think about how collaboration between schools and communities can
enhance the quality of education and strengthen community ties.

Key Concepts to Consider:

 Participatory decision-making
 Shared governance and accountability
 Building trust and transparency between schools and the community
 Localized education that meets the needs of the community

Guiding Questions:

- How can including parents, local leaders, and other community members in decision-
making processes improve educational outcomes?

- It can ensure that the perspectives of people who are directly impacted by school
policies are heard through the inclusion of parents, local leaders, and other community
members in decision-making processes enhances educational outcomes significantly.
It also helps ensure that schools remain focused on student success and are held
responsible for their decisions.

- What are the potential challenges in involving the community, and how can they be
overcome?

- Ineffective communication can hinder engagement efforts. If schools do not

communicate clearly and consistently with community members, they may miss
opportunities for participation. Also the lack of time and resources among community
members to participate actively. Busy schedules can limit involvement, particularly
for parents who may have multiple responsibilities. Schools can address this issue by
providing flexible meeting times, utilizing technology for virtual participation, and
offering child care during meetings

- How does community involvement in schools foster stronger social cohesion and
trust?
- When community members feel valued and recognized, it strengthens their
commitment to the school and fosters a supportive environment that benefits students.
This sense of belonging ultimately enhances the overall educational experience,
contributing to a more unified and resilient community.
Activity:Identify a school policy or decision-making process (e.g., curriculum
development, infrastructure improvements) that could benefit from community
input. Describe how involving community members could lead to better outcomes,
and outline specific steps for creating a collaborative decision-making structure at
your school.

3. Can you think of other examples of school-community partnerships in your

region? How do these partnerships contribute to educational success and social
progress?

Key Concepts to Consider:

 School-community partnerships
 Role of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and local government units (LGUs)
 Community involvement in education reform
 Educational equity and resource sharing

Guiding Questions:

 What existing school-community partnerships can you identify in your region?

- Col. Griffin National High School, does their partnership with the PTA's, Barangay,
Army's and Fraternity.

 How do these partnerships benefit both the school and the community?

- These partnerships benefit both the school and the community by fostering mutual
support. PTA's, as stakeholders, actively participate in planning for the school,
offering valuable suggestions and ensuring the well-being of their children. The
Barangay plays a crucial role in maintaining peace and order, reducing traffic
congestion, and providing transportation support for school activities. The Army
and Fraternity contribute to the school's overall environment by assisting with
cleanliness and beautification efforts.

 How do these collaborations address social issues such as inequality or limited

resources?

- These collaborations effectively address social issues like inequality by providing

essential resources to the school, which may be lacking in certain areas. By tapping
into these partnerships, the school can obtain the necessary support to meet its
needs and create a more equitable learning environment.

Activity: Research a successful school-community partnership in your area (e.g., a

partnership between a school and a local business, NGO, or government agency).
Analyze how the partnership has impacted both the school and the broader
community, focusing on its contributions to social progress and educational
outcomes.

- The partnerships between Col. Griffin National High School and the PTA,
Barangay, Army, and Fraternity have significantly impacted both the school and the
broader community. The school has benefited from increased parental involvement,
a safer learning environment, and improved educational resources. These
partnerships also contributed to community development, social progress, and
educational equity. The involvement of various stakeholders has helped to bridge
the gap between the school and the community, leading to a more cohesive and
supportive environment. The success of these partnerships demonstrates the
importance of strong school community relationships in creating a more equitable
and inclusive society.