Edith Batugan, a teacher at RPMD National Science High School in Marawi City, shares a significant observation on the increased appreciation her students have developed towards Values Education (Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao) as a subject. She attributes this positive change after her school was chosen as one of the 21 secondary high schools to participate in the integration of the 12-learning session toolkit to the Values Education for Grade 10, developed by EAI Philippines through the Communities and Schools Leading in the Fight against Terrorism (CS-LIFT) project.

The lessons in the toolkit inspire students to be role models in the community, encouraging them to not just absorb the knowledge but also apply these to real-life situations.
- Edith Batugan, Teacher

“The lessons can guide them on how to handle adverse situations, like how one should respond when presented with information related to violent extremism and terrorism,” Edith added.

As a Values Education teacher for 16 years, Edith highlighted the uniqueness of the content in the CS-LIFT Toolkit which is grounded in the social realities of the community, providing a relatable context for her students. Her students can better understand the gravity of these lessons, citing the Marawi Siege as an evident example. The way the lessons in the toolkit are designed effectively addresses the students’ need to grasp and engage with the issues affecting their community.

Edith expressed her thanks for including RPMD National Science High School as one of the pilot schools in the CS-LIFT project.

“I particularly like the emphasis on violent extremism and terrorism in the CS-LIFT toolkit. Since most of our students come from underprivileged families, they are more vulnerable to recruitment efforts, especially when financial incentives are involved.

For Edith, she hopes that the program could be extended to more schools. Additionally, she suggests that a similar toolkit for Grades 7, 8, 11, and 12 would be beneficial in further capacitating their students to be resilient and effective individuals in the community.