by Jemin B. Guillermo

Roxas City (28 July) -- Peace education is being institutionalized in basic education and teacher education.

Education Secretary Jesli Lapus disclosed that the Department of education (DepEd) will already incorporate peace education in their elementary and secondary curriculum.

Lapus said that the ways of peace will now be taught in public schools and be incorporated in teacher education as part of the government's initiative to build and nurture a climate conducive to peace through education.

He pointed out that "DepEd will incorporate peace education where it matters because we believe in the power of education to change the mindset of people towards peace."

According to Executive Order 570, otherwise known as Institutionalizing Peace Education in Basic Education and Teacher Education, the DepEd will serve as co-chair of the coordinating structure and will also spearhead the mainstreaming of peace education concepts, skills and values in the learning content of the basic education and alternative learning systems (ALS).

Education Supervisor Martha Bermejo of DepEd Capiz Division disclosed that some 180 teachers from Grades IV to VI in three towns in Capiz have undergone training on peace education.

Said towns, namely Dumarao, Tapaz and Cuartero, were earlier identified as conflict areas of the province, Bermejo added.

Bermejo said that this school year, they have totally incorporated peace education in the elementary and high school curriculum, particularly in various subject areas like values education, English and social studies, among others.

Training for said teachers on peace education was funded by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) through its Sixth Country Programme for Children (CPC 6) being implemented in the province.