With the topics The Challenge of Speed and The Challenge of Usefulness, Dr. Wilfredo C. Ramos, Wesleyan University-Philippines’ Vice President for Academic Affairs, joined as guest speaker in the three-day Lecture-Seminar in Transformative Leadership for Sustainable Instructional Development: Rekindling Commitment to Service, organized by the Schools Division Office of Nueva Ecija, attended by schools division superintendents and education program specialists, led by Dr. Jayne M. Garcia, Chief Education Supervisor, held at Ridgewood Hotel, Baguio City on December 1-3, 2025.Dr. Ramos opened his first talk with an engaging activity that tested the participants’ reaction time and highlighted the increasing demand for speed in the education sector. He emphasized that while the world is moving faster—driven by technology, information overload, and rising expectations—teachers must resist the pressure to rush learning. He reminded the audience that students learn at different paces and that true understanding takes time. The challenge, he stressed, is finding the right balance between efficiency and depth, knowing when to accelerate and when to slow down to ensure meaningful learning.
In his second topic, Dr. Ramos began by citing a pressing national concern from the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) Report of 2024, which mentioned that around 24.8 million Filipinos aged 10 to 64 are functionally illiterate—able to read and write but unable to fully comprehend or apply information in real-life situations. He explained that this underscores the urgent need to make classroom learning truly practical and relevant. Lessons that feel disconnected from students’ daily lives hinder engagement and understanding. He urged educators to bridge this gap by designing lessons that clearly demonstrate real-world application, making learning meaningful, relevant, and usable beyond the classroom.
Following the two presentations, an open forum provided participants the opportunity to clarify issues, raise concerns, and share insights related to the topics discussed.
“The activity proved to be a fruitful and productive gathering, marking a concrete step in the growing partnership between WUP and the Department of Education. It reflected the shared mission of strengthening educational linkages and extending God’s blessings and expertise through service in the field of education,” Dr. Ramos concluded.
Article and photos courtesy of Wilfredo C. Ramos
