How to Change the World

[Cross-post from Brain Drain.]

At a time when corporate social responsibility, social entrepreneurship and private philanthropy have moved front and center in the public consciousness, David Bornstein has put together a valuable resource by way of his book, How to Change the World: Social Entrepreneurship and the Power of New Ideas.

Teacher Programs Win Anvil for Third Straight Year

The Many Faces of the Teacher and A Tribute to Teachers were big winners at the recently concluded 43rd Anvil Awards of the Public Relations Society of the Philippines. Both programs, organized by Diwa Learning Systems in cooperation with the Bato Balani Foundation, were recognized with Anvil Awards for Excellence.

The BBFI staff are naturally humbled to have our programs honored in this way, and proudly share this achievement with our different partners that have helped make these programs a success.

Press release follows after the break.

The Many Faces of the Teacher 2008: The Search Begins!

The Bato Balani Foundation (BBFI), in cooperation with Diwa Learning Systems, is pleased to announce that the search for The Many Faces of the Teacher advocacy program of 2008 is now ongoing.

As in the past, partner organizations, school associations, religious organizations, the Department of Education, school heads, students and teachers are welcome to nominate educators they feel are true role models of the teaching profession.

Nominations will be evaluated by an Advocacy Review Board convened by BBFI, consisting of leading figures in Philippine education and corporate social responsibility. In making their selection, the Board shall use as its criteria: the person’s integrity and morality; relations with students, colleagues, community members and family; commitment and dedication to the teaching vocation; strength of values/principles applied in teaching and personal life; and involvement in school and community activities.

Nominations can be obtained via the Diwa website or in hard copy at the Bato Balani Foundation office.

Second Thoughts: Necessary, not Sufficient

Leave it to seasoned educator and former DepEd Secretary Edilberto de Jesus to pen an article that hits two birds with one stone.

In his February 18, 2008 OpEd column for the Manila Bulletin, de Jesus wrote about the 1000 Teachers Program launched by Philippine Business for Education and also touched on the prevailing scandals of government corruption that have made front page news of late. The ingenious element of the piece lies in his argument that the two are related: precisely because there are inefficiencies in and leakages from government funds, education does not get properly financed. It is for this reason that private groups such as PBEd have to step in, despite the fact that their philanthropic contributions pale in comparison to the amounts budgeted from government coffers.

In this regard, de Jesus makes the sobering argument that generating enough funds is a necessary but not sufficient condition to improving education in the country; of even greater import is putting what funds are available to good use.

For all its simplicity, de Jesus offers a thoroughly engaging take on the issue that makes for worthwhile reading.

Quality Teacher, Vol. 11 Nos. 2 and 3

This is a belated announcement: the second and third issues of Quality Teacher (Vol. 11) are already available!

The second issue for the 2007-2008 academic year, released in September/October 2007, focuses on the matter of teaching discipline. Features in the issue include, among others, “old-school” versus “new school” discipline, making student discipline work, discipline from the standpoint of values education, and how to help aspiring achievers obtain scholarships.

Just released, QT Vol. 11 No. 3 takes a closer look at cheating in the academic setting. Features look into the nature of academic dishonesty, cheating in the digital age, and the prospect of insulating the educational system from cheating-related scandals. There are also practical tips not just about how to catch cheaters, but also how keep cheating from happening in classroom to begin with.

For subscription inquiries and more information about the magazine in general or these issues in particular, kindly send an email to bbfi@diwamail.com or qteacher@diwamail.com, or leave a comment below.

On Civil Society-Government Relations

For her February 13, 2008 column in the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Rina Jimenez-David has written an insightful piece on the matter of NGO certification in the Philippines in the wake of Executive Order 671 (EO671). At issue is the fact that E0671 effectively removes private sector involvement in NGO accreditation in the country, contrary to long standing practice that has, for the most part, been a sterling example of public-private sector partnership.

The OpEd article cuts to the quick, with Jimenez-David asking the question “Is this any way to treat a partner?” In all, it is thought-provoking material that should be of interest to anyone concerned about civil society, corporate social responsibility and social entrepreneurship in the Philippines.

[Rina Jimenez David: Is this any way to treat a partner? (via the Philippine Daily Inquirer)]