NBSC’s Institute for Teacher Education Deepens Commitment to Early Childhood Education in Manolo Fortich through Project SULIP Needs Assessment
Northern Bukidnon State College’s (NBSC) Institute for Teacher Education (ITE) advanced its flagship extension project, Sustainable Learning and Linkage to Isolated Places (SULIP), by conducting an ocular visit and Training Needs Assessment (TNA) survey on July 2, 2025. The activity covered six Early Childhood Centers in the barangays of Maluko, Santiago, and Guilang-guilang, all located within the municipality of Manolo Fortich.
Project SULIP, a collaborative initiative between Northern Bukidnon State College’s Teacher Education Program and isolated communities in Manolo Fortich, was launched with a reconnaissance visit on February 14, 2024. Its overarching goal is to explore innovative teaching methodologies and resources, particularly for literacy, and to create essential training avenues for faculty, daycare workers, and Teacher Education Program (TEP) students.
The recent visit marks Phase Two of the ITE extension project, building upon prior engagements. The ITE team, spearheaded by ITE Program Head Dr. Christine C. Royo and ITE Research Extension Coordinator Noraisah U. Radaza, included core implementers Charry Mae C. Grepon, Marites L. Salce, and Jovenel B. Dadulla. Their efforts were further strengthened by the involvement of two representatives from the Municipal Social Welfare and Development (MSWD) Office, reflecting strong inter-agency collaboration.
During the visit, the team administered a structured questionnaire to identify early childhood teachers’ and staff’s training and development needs. All respondents from the six centers actively participated, providing invaluable insights. This data is critical for the project’s success, as Research Extension Coordinator Noraisah U. Radaza articulated: โThe information gathered will serve as a basis for future extension programs that respond to the actual needs of early childhood educators in these communities.โ
The insights gathered from Maluko, Santiago, and Guilang-guilang will complement the ongoing efforts of Project SULIP. Project SULIP aims to empower Child Development workers and TEP students while directly enhancing literacy skills among young learners in remote areas of Manolo Fortich. The project provides a crucial platform for NBSC faculty and students to apply and showcase innovative teaching methods in real-world settings by organizing targeted training sessions and developing tailored educational materials.
This latest activity reaffirms the Institute for Teacher Educationโs steadfast commitment to research-driven community engagement and the continuous advancement of early childhood education. These efforts are made possible through the unwavering support of the Research Development and Innovation Division, led by Dr. Mary Koren Witting-Acuesa, and most especially by SUC President I, Dr. Christie Jean Villanueva-Ganiera, Ed.D, CESE. It ensures that the benefits of quality learning reach even the most isolated communities in Manolo Fortich.
