Introducing Multicultural Education to Baguio City National High School

Barbara Elena M. Lagos, PhD

Saint Louis University
27Ienzky@gmail.com

The extension program, expected to last for three years, is designed for teachers of Baguio City
National High School (BCNHS). The design, conceived in 2013, was based on a needs
assessment survey. Covered by a memorandum of agreement between the Saint Louis University
(SLU) and the division office of BCNHS, the program, joined by six SLU Professional
Education faculty members, aims to enrich BCNHS teachers on educating students on cultural
diversity.

Research has documented the numerous benefits of multicultural teaching. This kind of teaching
prepares students to work and live in an increasingly diverse world (Gaff 1992; Morey and
Kitano 1997, as cited by Bigatti et al, 2012). It also allows the faculty to engage in productive
self-reflection where they may identify and confront their own biases (Bennett et al. 2003, as
cited by Bigatti et at, 2012).

The seminar-workshops provided for BCNHS teachers focus on their knowledge of and personal
practice on multicultural settings, peace education, gender sensitivity, and diminishing racial and
religious prejudices. It is envisioned that their deepened knowledge and learning experiences on
multicultural education will be constantly applied to daily teaching approaches. It is further
envisaged that the program will enrich the teaching-learning experience of BCNHS students as
they endeavor towards a prejudice-free learning environment in their diverse setting. At present,
the teachers are focused on creating culture-based lesson exemplars in their chosen subject areas,
where they are expected to integrate inputs on peace education, gender sensitivity, and
diminishing racial and religious prejudices. With regular consultations with the SLU Professional
Education faculty, their improved and approved lesson exemplars will be shared as
demonstration lessons in local and national forums.