APC teachers join JBEC meeting in Cebu: Strengthening environmental and culture-based education

APC teachers joined other school administrators and educators from Jesuit schools in the country to participate in the Principals’ Meeting of the Jesuit Basic Education Commission (JBEC) in Cebu City on 4 to 7 February that provided a platform for collaboration, reflection, and action on key issues in education in the Philippines.

The JBEC meeting featured an Eco-Summit, where Yeb Saño challenged participants to reflect on their roles in protecting our common home. APC teachers shared their initiatives in integrating environmental education into the school’s curriculum, such as Natural Resource Management (NRM), Sustainable Production and Development (SPD), and Organic Farming. The discussion emphasized the importance of getting students engaged in real-world ecological challenges to deepen their sense of responsibility, and not just teaching environmental conservation inside a classroom.

The event also provided hands-on learning experiences, including a visit to the Greeners Farm, an urban garden of the Cebu Diversified Advocacy Cooperative (CEDACO) in Barangay Taptap, Cebu City, where participants learned about soil preparation, seed sowing, and organic farming practices. According to Risajean Berdesola, APC School Registrar and participant in the JBEC meeting, the visit to the CEDACO urban garden reinforced her confidence in APC’s commitment to sustainable agriculture, a key component of its culture-based education program.

Beyond environmental concerns, the meeting highlighted the role of education in safeguarding Indigenous knowledge. The APC teachers reflected on the importance of oral traditions and cultural practices in fostering a deep connection with nature. Discussions with other educators emphasized the need to strengthen the use of Indigenous language use and cultural integration in the curriculum to empower students in safeguarding their heritage.

The gathering concluded with a collective commitment among Jesuit schools to initiate mini-eco summits within their institutions to deepen environmental awareness and translate educational discussions into meaningful action.

The participation of APC teachers in the JBEC Meeting reaffirms the school’s mission of holistic education – one that nurtures both the environment and the cultural identity of its learners. Through continuous collaboration with fellow Jesuit institutions, APC remains steadfast in its efforts towards sustainable and culture-based education.

See related story from JCAP: EcoSummit 2025: A gathering of Jesuit schools of the Philippines