From left to right: Mandaluyong City Mayor Benjamin Abalos, Jr., DepEd Secretary Bro. Armin Luistro, Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, and Australian Ambassador Bill Tweddell.

Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop recognized the partnership between the University of New England (UNE) and the Philippine Normal University (PNU) during the launch of the Basic Education Sector Transformation (BEST) program on 21 February 2014 at the Neptali Gonzales High School in Mandaluyong City.

Ms. Bishop emphasized that the partnership between these two universities, an important component of BEST, along with that between the University of Melbourne and the University of the Philippines, would enable Australian experts to support Philippine experts to innovate policies around the K to 12 program.

The partnership between UNE and PNU started in October 2012 through the creation of the Research Center for Teacher Quality (RCTQ) which is now based at PNU Manila. Supported by the Australian Government, this research center will serve as BEST’s main mechanism in developing evidence-based policy research and advice directed towards strengthening teacher quality in the country.

Ms. Bishop emphasized teacher quality in her speech, saying that “one of the most important elements of students’ education outcomes is the quality of the teacher.” RCTQ supports three key areas of teacher reform: Pre-Service Teacher Growth and Development, In-Service Teacher Professional Growth and Development, and Teacher and Teacher Educator Academic Renewal.

In the said launch, Ms. Bishop announced that the Australian Government’s new funding assistance to the Department of Education through BEST totals AS150 million over six years. The event was attended by Australian Ambassador Bill Tweddell, Education Secretary Armin Luistro and other high-level education and local officials.

Dr. Marilyn Balagtas and Dr. Gina Gonong, Director and Deputy Director respectively of RCTQ, also attended the event.

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Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop recognized the partnership between the University of New England (UNE) and the Philippine Normal University (PNU) during the launch of the Basic Education Sector Transformation (BEST) program on 21 February 2014 at the Neptali Gonzales High School in Mandaluyong City. Ms. Bishop emphasized that the...
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