From Nov. 27 – Dec.4, PeaceTech visited 11 schools, both DepED and private high schools, and conducted the classes using two modules:1) Building a Culture of Peace
2) Overcoming Prejudice and Discrimination
Each module ran for an hour each and showed PeaceTech AVPs, specifically PT1, 2, and 5 to the high school students. The modules used for PeaceTech Pilot Classes were taken from the modules developed in partnership with the Department of Education Central Office in Manila, through Ms. Perla Sunga-Intia, Co-Director, NEPP and Chief, MPPD-TS.
On Dec. 29, PeaceTech was invited to a symposium on the Culture of Peace, with almost 800 high school students as audience.
PeaceTech sends a strong message to the youth, even in Negros where Muslim-nonMuslim relation is not such a big issue. PeaceTech’s pilot classes complemented the theme of the event by bringing lessons from Mindanao to the Negrenses. Hopefully, the lessons will educate more young people about the Muslims and the real struggle in Mindanao, and inspire them to take action and do something to promote peace in the country in their own little ways.
Some of the student’s reflections at the end of the classes are:
What I learned today.
(transcribed exactly as written)
"I have learned peace is very important for us. We need to respect and understand other religions. It does not matter if we are in different religions, what matters is how we treat other people. We should be treated as one. We should help each other. Filipinos should be united. "
"Today I learned that Muslims are not at all that bad. And the war going on between them ad the Christians is a misconception. Its a war between Muslims and the settlers, which happened to be Christians, t is just a simple coincidence. Every place have conflicts between land, dominion, and the Muslims happen to be possessive of their land. The war gave them a bad image, that's why they are prejudiced and being treated unequally. What a pity!"
"Not all Muslims are terrorists. We need every positive values to have peace. Peace starts within ourselves and to be shared with others later on. Peace is not only the absence of war (guns, etc) but should also be defined with love, contentment and understanding. "
WHAT I WILL DO TO PROMOTE THE CULTURE OF PEACE.
"I will make myself as a model to all people not only to Christians but also to Muslims and to native groupd. I will respect their dignity, culture and especially their religion."
"In my own little way I can correct and clear my mind through being open. I will also join clubs and organizations that will promote goodwill among diverse cultures and beliefs that will later on build a culture of peace here in our country, and lastly, respect everybody."
"I will first promote peace within myself. I will give time for myself to think and understand others. I will face conflicts with the right emotions in a right way."
-- from the students of Bacolod City National High School (BCNHS)
Antonio Lizares National HighSchool-Talisay
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Bacolod City National High School
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Lopez Jaena National High School
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Negros Occidental High School
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St. Francis of Assisi-Silay
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Sum-Ag National High School
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University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos
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