Globalization opens a lot of doors towards cultural exchange and global participation. It also paves the way for educational advances around the world.
The movement of “progressive education” has resurfaced, gaining more prominence among educators around the globe.
Here, the focus is the learner. Learners’ needs and interests are given equal importance and emphasis.
Nowadays, schools are slowly recognizing the importance of this kind of learning. But so far, only a few have truly embraced this approach to education.
The Dumaguete Kalikasan Educational Center in Bong-ao, Valencia is one of the few progressive schools in the Philippines.
The Center does not only offer unique educational opportunities such as inquiry-based pedagogy, and learning English as a foreign language, but also provides students individualized classes that suit their interest such as bamboo construction, marine life education, outdoor education, appreciating the Philippines and Visayan language, among other things.
More importantly, Kalikasan provides cultural exchange activities and community services – all at the very core of the school values.
Kalikasan was formed by the Gandhi Schools of Korea in 2009. Gandhi Schools are considered to be the first progressive schools in the country.
Kalikasan was founded in 1997 with the core values of love, freedom, wisdom, peace, and harmony with nature. It is a non-profit, non-stock educational corporation under the Philippine law.
Why Kalikasan? Not only does the name capture the truest sense of nature in Filipino; it also perfectly embodies one of the core values of all Gandhi Schools: harmony with nature.
Why in Valencia? Valencia is a perfect place to experience nature. It is peaceful, safe, and clean. The environment helps create a very conducive atmosphere for the learners. Valencia provides both the perfect atmosphere for learners and a warm generous community. In Valencia, the people are friendly, and positive towards cultural exchange and global innovations.
This small mountain town is only a 15-minute drive from the city of Dumaguete, so students can also experience city life on occasion.
What does Kalikasan do? We run a four-month program twice a year for the Gandhi Schools of Korea. The Korean Gandhi Schools aim to raise responsible global citizens.
Every year, the schools send 24 middle school students each semester. These students stay and study for one whole semester at Kalikasan.
Our school then provides a diversity of cultural exchange programs which include English, Philippine culture, arts, music, dance, sports, trips, homestays, and many more.
The students experience a unique and unforgettable learning here in the Philippines.
Simultaneously, we run a three-year program for high school students. Currently, our school has approximately 30 to 40 Korean high school students.
Those who complete the high school program are encouraged to enter college levels in different English-speaking countries around the world.
Kalikasan aims to raise responsible global citizens who can choose where to live, where to work, and where to serve.
Gandhi Schools of Korea and Kalikasan expect students to serve the world, especially Asian countries, in the future after they finish their education.
As our community of learners grow, our hope is to have students from different parts of the world come and learn with us.
We also welcome teachers who can share their talents, skills, expertise, and passion in teaching.
Together, let us all embrace positivity and celebrate diversity.
To know more about Kalikasan, you can visit them in Bong-ao, Valencia; or email mykaliksan@gmail.com
