Stories and Testimonials of Project APEX

"Sir, I did not realize that I could lead my group to complete the tasks assigned to us. I never thought I possess the qualities of being a leader. I should thank you Sir, for giving me this opportunity."

This was the reaction of one of my students after a group activity in my Science subject. I was also touched by what he told me – to me it was just a simple-one of those activities, but it turned out to be a very meaningful experience especially for this particular student.

When my students find meaning and value to what we are doing in class and when they are able to unleash their potentials and talents that bring them up to a higher level of learning experience, only then can I say that I was able to successfully teach my students. Mr. Julius Ferrer Science Teacher Biñan Secondary School for Applied Academics

The first month of the school year was a period of adjustment for all of us in the school. Since the CTL approach focused more on activities, the teachers needed to prepare instructional materials before coming to class; do research to enrich the delivery of the lesson/s and provide answers in cases students will ask questions; and plan/modify activities/lessons that will suit to the level of the students. While most of the activities require a lot of movement and communication, the students needed to transform themselves to an active participant in the classroom.

Well, it was only difficult at first, imagine all the preparations but after a while, everything seemed to work out just fine. There were times however that we ran out of activities, but somewhere along the way we discover new ones that will somehow fit the lessons and the students as well.

It is now more exciting to come to class, while students look forward to a new set of activities, we cannot wait to see and hear their reactions to the new lessons.

Mayor Roque A. Tiu, the Municipal Mayor of Tanauan, Leyte is the Champion of Project APEX in our school community. It is a normal day for us when we see Mayor Tiu entering the school gate and proceeding directly to a classroom. He would sit in the class, observe how the teachers handle the session and more importantly, listen to the students’ reactions and responses. Through the students’ reactions, Mayor Tiu is able to make a distinction whether the class he was able to observe is an APEX section or not. He is even aware who among the teachers are absent in a day and report it to the School Principal. His concern in providing quality education to his constituents is truly enormous!

Mayor Tiu has so much belief in Project APEX and sees it as a strategic response to prepare the youth to become productive citizens of the community. Through this project, Mayor Tiu wants to make sure that taxpayer’s money are put into good use and truly benefit the people of Tanauan.

Realizing the positive effects on the students if the activities in a lesson are well thought out and planned, three teachers bonded together and decided to design sets of activities which they can make use of in a given topic. At first, they would discuss the lesson plan, then brainstorm on what would be the best activity that would achieve the lesson objectives. They would of course, consider the profile of the students, the availability of the supplies and materials and ease in the delivery of the activity. As soon as the detailed procedures for the activity is done, one of them would pilot test the said activity in class, while the two others sit in and observe and document students’ reactions and feedback and the teacher’s delivery style. Critiquing session about the delivery follows after the pilot test to modify and/or further enhance the design of the activity. Satisfied with the revisions made, they would now finalize the activity, assign a particular topic where this can be applied and used. They plan to publish this as part of the school publication.